Turn out the lights….the party’s over. For me. And I guess the democrats for a bit. Today was my last day in New Orleans. I ate the most of it. Yeah, ate. I can tell I’m on the tail end of my trip and oh so tired….I hardly took any pictures. And of all the places I’ve been, New Orleans is so photogenic. Oh well. Gives me yet another reason to come back!
I got here on Sunday night and Buddy and Shelby (my friends from Portland) drove their van to my RV park because it was within walking distance of all the stuff. I was ready to party down! Them? Not so much. Shocking! Seriously….I’ve seen them really party. But, we did have fun. We walked all over. We stopped for beignets and coffee at cafe du monde which was delicious! And messy. I went back later in my stay and didn’t enjoy it as much. I think they needed to change their oil. But that powdered sugar is everywhere. Even the pigeons had white beaks!
We went on to where I was told we could find live music and that’s exactly what we did. There was a fun band playing with a trombone. We stayed and drank a bunch – then walked back to Bird and they took off. I’m really glad I rushed to see them – it’ll be a lifetime memory.
I was on my own Monday thru Wednesday. Monday I went out to get a late breakfast but it took forever to find the place I wanted to go because it was POURING. Not raining. Pouring. All I had was a hat and it was soaked so fast. I skirted from awning to awning. By the time I found Brennan’s, they were closing (2pm). So I researched and decided on another place – but went wrong. It wasn’t until I got my crab cakes that I realized my error. They were inedible. Like eating play dough. Red beans and rice are a traditional Monday Cajun meal – but mine were so salty I couldn’t eat them. My bad. I didn’t make that mistake again. I did go to Verti Marte and picked up a muffuletta to take back for dinner. It was delicious and huge. I cut it into four pieces and didn’t finish it until Wednesday.
By the time I made it home, even my underwear were soaked through. I stayed in Monday night – and dry. I got up early Tuesday and made it to Brennan’s. Best breakfast I’ve ever had. Eggs Hussarde was the dish – housemade English muffins, coffee cured Canadian bacon, hollandaise, marchand de vin sauce. The Marchand de vin sauce was something I don’t think I’ve ever tasted – or at least tasted this well done. I had several drinks, too.
From there I toodled around window shopping. I did buy two Christmas ornaments. One is a real bayou alligator foot. The other a hand painted frog that cost way too much.
I did learn real fast to have a bunch of folded up one dollar bills tucked around for tipping. There is always someone doing something to get money out of you. If you open your wallet they will try to talk you out of everything you have. If you pull a folded up dollar out, they take it and move on. Serious tip there.
The bartender at Brennan’s had suggested that I go to Jacque-Imo’s for dinner and then to the place next door for music. I decided that I’d take a nap and then go out later. I slept longer than I wanted and when I woke up the election results were coming in fast. That jolted me awake like a cattle prod. I seriously could not believe my eyes. Of course all dinner/music plans went right out the window. I stayed up until 3am watching, stunned.
I don’t know if anyone else saw this – but on NBC Richard Engel showed up on air in the middle of the night. I totally respect him. I think he’s a great foreign correspondent. But on election night (early morning after) he was crazy. Maybe drunk. It was highly entertaining. I ain’t gonna lie…..I was entertained by the media’s shock. I’ve never heard the media audibly gasp when states are called on election night. They were so sure they had it right – I guess most of us did.
I keep thinking about Eddie Murphy’s Delirious when he does a skit about voting for Jesse Jackson. It’s not the same but kinda is. He won? 😝
Yesterday (Wednesday), it was all I could do not to go back to Brennan’s. Instead I went to The Stanley. It was really good, too. I had boudin for the first time. It’s a sausage made with cooked rice and meat. Yummmmmm. I had more beignets (well ate one, left two). I bought two kinds of pralines to bring home.
I met an artist whose work reminded me a bit of Chris Haberman’s. He uses hinges and cabinets – all stuff salvaged from Katrina. He said he used to live in Portland and knew Chris. Small world. Yes, I know some people will say anything to sell their wares.
I sat and listened to this guy playing a kora – this insane looking African (?) guitar thing. He was sooooo good.
Finally, I went to Sammy’s Po-Boys and got a roast beef. I should have eaten it there but I was full and they were shooting a tv show so there was no room to sit. It didn’t matter. That was a dank sammie. Just dripping wet – but somehow that French bread crust maintains its structure allowing you to pick it up.
That was my trip to New Orleans. I’m slightly ashamed that I never did really anything except eat and drink. I didn’t get out to Tipitina’s. I never had a fancy dinner. I didn’t go to any cemeteries or churches or museums. I didn’t go down Bourbon street (I crossed it many, many times) – it looked gross. I didn’t take many pictures. I did, however, go to Pat O’Briens for two hurricanes (I’m guessing the reason I slept thru dinner Tuesday)!
I fully intend to come back to New Orleans many more times. It’s a great place. Now I head home. I’m staying in Little Rock tomorrow night and Amarillo at Big Texan Steakhouse on Friday. I’m not sure about Saturday – perhaps Flagstaff. Or!!!! Maybe I’ll take an extra day and go up to Cortez, CO and poke around. I love that town. Regardless, I’ll be home by Monday at the latest.
Onward ♋+♊
The Lolo Down 