New Orleans, June 2014

For someone who is from Texas I would get asked "Oh you have never been to New Orleans? It's like right there." Yes I am very aware of geography and the fact that the state in which New Orleans is located is the neighbor to the east of Texas, but as a person that spend most of her adult life living in Washington, DC. WHY WOULD I GO?

On my trip to California my friend Raquel and I started scheming about where we should spend our birthdays this year. Ironically enough, we were both celebrating our "golden birthday" this year and neither one of us has never been to New Orleans so it was a fairly easy decision.

Day 1:

We drove up on a Thursday after she flew into Houston and made the 6 hour trek down I-10 to that Big Easy. We met up with our friend Daniel and his friend, for arguments sake let's call him "lic-o-rice" and we went out on Bourbon Street that night. First had dinner a bar and got to sit outside on the balcony which was cool. Then from their meandered down Burbon stepping into any place we heard with decent music. Along the way I got  a Hurricane from Pat O'Brien's and a Hand Grenade from The "Original" Tropical Isle, probably seems silly I remember the drink I got this night so well but I wanted to make sure that I got all the things I've heard I should get while in New Orleans, that whole "When in Rome" saying is being applied here. Not really a fan of the Hurricane even though I am a lover of rum, it was just too much for me. But the Hand Grenade I really like probably because of how sweet it is. We spent the rest of the night bar at a bar called... well to be honest I do not recall the name (haha), until we decided to call it a night.

Day 2:

NOM NOM!

One of the main things on my agenda was to sight see different areas of NOLA because of the history behind the city. So Friday morning we left the hotel around 1 p.m. and headed to Cafe' du Monde for some beignets and chicory coffee. As a woman sitting near us so delicately put it "this is the best thing I've ever put in my mouth", we had to reluctantly agree with her. With such a simple menu Cafe' du Monde definitely lived up to the all the hype. After brunch we walked down to the French Market and walked around observing all the different booths set up. We left and walked back towards Cafe' du Monde and went inside St.Louis Cathedral, which is absolutely breathtaking! Pictures do not do it justice. By this time we were ready to eat again, and the guys finally rose from the dead so we all met up at Johnny's Po-Boy's restaurant and each tried a different po-boy so we could share. They were OK not the greatest thing "I've ever put in my mouth" but I would try them again. We walked down Bourbon St and went inside Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo and left offerings, walked to see Madame LaLaurie's house and then headed back to hotel for a workout. Later, had dinner at Pat O's, which was delicious, and sat at the piano bar with a drunk bachelor whom Raquel knew a friend of his. We drank, sang and laughed as he flooded the aisle with his ridiculous dance moves. I honestly do not remember leaving the piano bar, or where we ended up next.



Day 3:
Well to say the least I did not start this day off gracefully.

Mississippi River

Woke up feeling not very flawless. I tried downing water bottle after water bottle but that did not seem to help much. We had to pack to check-out of this hotel and check into the Sheraton (baller status) so with the time we had before we could check-in we decided to go to Mardi Gras World. It was a rather waste of time. It is just a warehouse where they store the floats and where someone is working and preparing floats for the next Mardi Gras.This place was not impressive so we decided not to go in. But I did get to take a picture by the Mississippi River while a tug boat passed and what I can only assume was the captain came on the intercom and said "selfie" haha. We decided to have brunch at Mother's Restaurant. With the line outside the building I knew this had to be a good place and Mama did not disappoint! I ordered a ham and cheese omelet and devoured it within minutes. We checked in our hotel and laid around a while until we decided on our next move. We decided to head to Louis Armstrong park where they were having a Zydeco festival and different booths to try some authentic Louisiana cuisine. We tried to go to the St. Louis Cemetery #1 but got there too late for "visiting hours".

Yup! Me. Getting smacked. In the face. With Beads. Priceless

We went back to the hotel for a bit, met up with the guys and headed to Hark Rock Cafe for dinner. I think at this point we were all for the most part pretty worn out so we stood and people watched for a little bit, the drunk debauchery that took place was awesome. OH and there were children, children just walking around with their parents. But before leaving for the night I managed to get smacked in the face with some beads!


I began the next morning with a run, knowing I ate my way through the city as well as drank it, and knowing that a 6 hour car ride was ahead of me. I ran through the city of all the places we had walked during our visit and actually got to go inside of St. Louis Cemetery #1 where Madame LaLaurie is "rumered" to be buried. Her alleged grave is marked with offereings and X's all over the grave, it's actually pretty spooky. I can honestly say this was one of the best trips I have ever been on! I fell in love with this city, the sites and the culture. I will definitely be visiting again and hopefully really soon.

Until next time NOLA!!!

Simply Me,

Ashley Marie