New Orleans – City of Senses

After a nice morning hike to a very interesting waterfall (it falls into a sink hole and appears to just disappear into the earth!), we were back on the road for the trek to New Orleans.  We visit my mom here almost every year for French Quarter Festival, a 4 day FREE festival with over 500 different acts on 23 stages throughout the French Quarter.  All of the food, beverage and music is locally sourced.  What started out being the city’s effort to get the locals to the Quarter has turned into an international extravaganza in its years in existence.  www.fqfi.org

From the very entry into the city, our senses are heightened.  Crossing Lake Ponchartrain, the sun glistens on the water around the seemingly endless bridge.  The cityscape rises in the distance and we can feel the energy reaching for us. 

We arrived late afternoon and got settled in our “slip” at a very basic RV park at a busy intersection.  With traffic noise being our new background music, we took a few minutes to get settled and then headed to the Quarter with my mom, Carol. 

On our next morning attempt to ride our bikes to the Quarter, we encounter potholes that shake us to the core!  Crossing the Industrial Canal is a fete of bravery, leaving us not sure we're willing to make the return trip!  Riding along the Lakefront on the other side helps to calm the nerves and the smell of the water makes us feel back home.  

Even on the short ride into town, the smell of roasting coffee and local bakeries wafts through the car. The scent of jasmine and flowering trees fills Carol’s courtyard and I swear every doorway has the promise of some culinary wonder! 

Perfect weather for the fest!

A casual stroll brings music of every sort to your ears.  Jazz, R&B, Dixieland and Zydeco spill from doorways and sidewalk performers.  People laughing, yelling, mumbling and singing and car horns and sirens abound.  Even at my morning yoga class, the sound of the Jackson Square jam session starts tuning up before 9am!

And then, of course, there is taste…this IS New Orleans, mind you!!  Crawfish and mustard greens and grilled chicken livers.  Jambalaya, creole, red beans and etouffee.  Café au lait and beignets and pralines! Noone would even think to question the diversity and splendor of New Orleans cuisine! 

Mom and I with our favorite dance partner, Keith

Yes, we’re back in New Orleans and our senses are piqued.  We’re walking miles each day from stage to stage, sampling amazing food and I’m dancing every possible cajun two step and zydeco dance that I can grab a partner for.   I’m enjoying being with my amazing Mom and the friends we’ve made here over the years and, for now, this is right where I wanna be!