We had a busy day planned but we could not get moving very fast . . . we finally got out and our first stop was going to be Johnny's Po-boys but it was closed due to mechanical problems. What a bummer so we continued on to Cafe Du Monde. Of course there was a super huge long line so we passed it by too! We sure weren't having much luck so we walked to the water to take a break . . .
We then stumbled on this really cute store called Dutch Alley Artist's Coop . . . I really do love to buy from local artist and this store was packed with some great stuff. I could have bought so much but refrained and bought one thing to remind me of my visit to New Orleans. I loved that all the workers were the artist who had their crafts on display. It was my favorite store! We had worked up an appetite so headed back to Cafe du Monde where there was no line . . .
. . . it doesn't get any sweeter than this! Do you see the group of guys behind me? They were from California and there for a stag party . . . they were nice but one was very annoying . . . we met them the night before and thought we would never see them again. We laughed when they came in and sat behind us . . . of course they did not recogninze us.
We wandered around the Fish Market and headed back to the hotel to catch our tour of the city. The tour would take us to visit many areas of the city; a cemetery, the French Quarter, the Garden District, and see some of the destruction left by Hurricane Katrina. This was probably one of the best tour guides I have ever had . . . he was so knowledgeable and has lived in New Orleans all his life. You would have thought he popped in a CD but he was talking the entire tour and his voice was so good. He incorporates his own stories into the tour which really makes it personal. There were only 10 people on our tour and we were in a very cool (temperature) van so we could go places the big tour buses could not go. If you go to New Orleans this is a tour not to be missed . . . Dixie Tours New Orleans and be sure to ask for Mike Marino. He knew his stuff and was funny too! It was a very comprehensive tour of New Orleans but a little heavy on Hurricane Katrina . . . I had planned to take a couple of photos of the destruction left by Katrina but it just did not feel right. One thing I learned is something the media never covered . . . all we seemed to hear on the news was about the 9th Ward destruction which was a lower income area . . . I was shocked at the same amount of destruction done in the middle class or 'working class' area . . . the homes that were above $200,000 . . . just shocking that they too lost everything but the media never seemed to cover them. I guess that most of them had insurance and their stories were not important for us to hear . . . just amazed that five years have passed and so many house still stand in ruins. There is of course a lot of rebuilding going on too . . . Brad Pitt was in town this weekend and continuing his efforts . . . not a big fan but it sounds like what he is doing is really helping so many in the city. Anyway . . . it was an all around great tour.
I enjoyed visiting the Garden District . . . some really beautiful houses. While in the French Quarter we saw this really cute hotel . . . The Cornstalk Hotel . . .
. . . it would be a great place to stay and I bet it would be romantic!
Our last stop on the tour was to a local cemetery . . .
. . . just beautiful and sort of reminds me of the care the Europeans put into their cemeteries. These family burial sites can have a lot of members buried inside them . . . I think one had over 20.
We arrived back at our hotel for a quick nap and then out for dinner! We were having dinner at a place Mike the tour guide recommended . . . the bad thing was he said they did not take reservations. We showed up at 8:15pm and were told it would be at least 10:00pm. So we put our name down and headed to another restaurant for a cup of soup . . . walked around some more and headed back to Irene's Cuisine around 10pm. We waited a little longer and were finally seated . . . we were both so glad we waited as the food was really good but it was a little loud to me. They had the most creamy cheese cake ever to touch my tongue! The service was great and our server took care of us and made great recommendations! As we were leaving I think I saw a sign that said they DO take reservations but not 100% sure . . . if you go you might try to make reservations.
It was our last night in town so we headed out to hear some more great music . . . again we got back to the hotel at almost 2am . . . oh it is going to be an early morning since I have a 10am flight!
I have to mention one thing . . . EVERYONE in the city was so friendly. I was amazed at how nice and kind everyone was . . . not just the tourist but the people who live and work in New Orleans. I guess those who are back in NO are just so happy and grateful to be alive! Mike, the tour guide, said that everyone comes to visit NO and have fun and then go back home to do 'serious' work. He is so right!
No comments:
Post a Comment