The Big Easy. Down on the Bayou. My Creole brotha from another motha. Ray Nagin. Lestat de Lioncourt. Wait, what? Forget Ray Nagin. This is New Orleans Baby!
Holy crap it’s hot and sweaty. I mean, slap yo mama with a wet mop, kinda hot and sweaty. The RV air conditioners literally cannot keep the rig cooler than 82˚ during the day. They never shut off. I know, I know. I’m in a palace on wheels and complaining about how my AC isn’t good enough. Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just wanted you all to understand how deeply swampy it is here. As Mathew Brodick (Eugene Morris Jerome) best put it, “Man it’s hot. It’s like Africa hot. Tarzan couldn’t take this kind of hot.”
Aside from that, we spent a great night (Thursday) eating the best (and very first) grilled oysters I’ve ever had. Even the regular half shells were da bomb. But those grilled….., that is some good. Maddie hooked us up with a couple great bars from her extensive research and we enjoyed a beautiful evening stroll through the French Quarter, trying to avoid tourist traps, con artists and vampires.
Friday morning we of course went to Cafe du Monde. You’re either a communist or really, really, really crazy if you don’t have at least one cup of coffee and a few beignets. Man those are good. I mean, they’e so good, I’d endure this weather again anyday for just one more. Laura buys their home beignets kits from the supermarket, but there is just no comparison (sorry Honey). Afterwards, a little daylight stroll through the FQ was in order. So many artist shops. I never expected to see so many. But the architecture is divine. A bit neglected but divine. The history of the FQ, the engineering that keeps it safe, the past tragedies, all combine to give it the rich character that it has. Obviously you need to look past the countless bars and drunks. As a matter of fact, I’m actually glad that Bourbon St. has been closed for construction while we’ve been here. It has forced us explore less traveled paths and I’m grateful for it.
Friday night was a real special treat for me personally. When I’m in a town for a couple nights, I like to check local venues to see if any good bands are playing. Well what do you know, The Alarm is in town at the House of Blues. Holy Crap, The Alarm!? I started listening to them in 7th grade and all throughout high school. As soon as I found out, I contacted the HOB and asked about VIP packages. We ended up with a stage side table in the Founders Club section. One of the coolest things however, was that the venue and crowd was so small, its was like a private concert no matter where you were standing. Then after the show, the house lights came up and entire band just mixed and mingled with everybody left. It was truly a treat and concert I’ll never forget.
Today is Saturday. Let’s see whats next.
PUPDATE (get it 😜?)
We’ve been working very hard the past couple days, with the puppies. They seem to think they are on vacation and have forgotten all manners. So we’ve adopted a new walking/pooping routine. They are such sweethearts and we really can’t blame them. There is so much energy bundled up in them, I’m sure its tough for them to spend sooooooo much time inside. When they do go out for walks, they just want to run wild.
So we purchased a couple “Gentle Leaders” and gave it a try. It wasn’t the quite the result that it was supposed to be. The pups freaked out when the strap went across their snout. But the second they shook it off, they fell in-line. Mostly because they didn’t want them back on. We also walk them separately and in opposite direction. It’s having a very positive affect and their behavior is much calmer. But whenever possible, we still like to give them some off-leash play time together in the grass.
