A tale of two days

It's a tale of two days. A bug hit Carol overnight and she's spent the day in bed. CJ went for a long walk of exploration in the morning. He located Lafayette Square, fooled around on the banks of the Mississippi, and found the gingerbread creation in Harrah's Hotel (after transiting the entire casino).

 

 

After returning to check on Carol, he criss crossed the French Quarter for a couple of hours in the afternoon finally finding a place for lunch at 3pm.

New Orleans is a one of a kind place.  The streets are overflowing with people walking about with drinks in hand.  There are strange people wearing strange costumes throughout the Quarter.  And the weddings; aah the weddings.  Apparently (since CJ observed it five times) the tradition here is after the ceremony, the bride and groom take to strutting the streets followed by a traditional jazz street band (there are dozens of them about) with the guests in trail. And by the way, just how do they tie up the street?  With an escort of one or more motorcycle cops from New Orleans finest, of course.

Jackson Square is abuzz with artists, street performers, bands and more wedding parties not to mention the tourists and strolling locals.

Bourbon St. has to me the most unique street in the world. It's classic trash.  It's Sodom and Gomorra meets any street outside a navy base in the 1950's. It's Hustler magazine meets assembly line frozen drink dispensers. It's neon light heaven meets wall to wall music; good and not so good. It's unlike anything else.

 

 

After finding an hours long line at the Acme Oyster House (real name no shot), CJ finally finds a restaurant with crawfish etouffee for lunch. On his return to the hotel the line at Acme is even longer; and it's 4pm.

He walks to Lafayette Park after dark for a light show. We didn't know that they only project them on the hour.  He arrives as one is ending.

 

 

 

 

A bowl of gumbo on Bourbon St. serves as dinner. The drinks have come out to play.  CJ retreats to the hotel where at some point the sound of cannon fire turns out to be fireworks over Jackson Square.