New Orleans was everything I had imagined and then some. We did some exploring in the Garden District - an area of New Orleans with some of the best preserved historic Southern mansion in the US. But the French Quarter was where we felt at home. The air was thick with history. The streets echoed with the thousands of feet that had once trod on their stones. The buildings teased and taunted with the stories that were held within their walls.
We rode streetcars and riverboats. We had beignets and cafe au lait. We saw the Superdome. We visited the site of the Battle of New Orleans. We had a drink in the bar that was once the Pirate Jean Lafitte's blacksmith shop. But one of the most memorable things we did was visit the cemeteries. (Go figure....) The crowding of souls contained in the walls of those cemeteries could be felt even in the heat of the day. But the cemeteries were neither sorrowful nor gloomy but almost had an air of gaiety about them. Perhaps a perpetual party was taking place - it was once a Southern tradition to enjoy a picnic lunch at the cemetery. Relaxing and passing the time on the ancestors' graves. Perhaps those picnics were still taking place....
8 comments:
Oh the magic of New Orleans. I can't wait to go back and take Punky with me.
I'm loving the series of southern tales, even if it makes me want to scrap my summer plans and roadtrip south.
-Angelwick
It must have been tough for you to have seen on TV the devastation Katrina brought to New Orleans.
Debra, we moved up here to Arkansas shortly before Katrina hit. It was heart rending for us to see the devastation.
I am loving all that you share about the south. Our adventures to Naw'lins have been just like yours....wonderful. I too sat and watched all the interesting sights of the Quarter and was amazed at cemeteries. Such a wonderful vibe and so very different than the desert southwest where we live. The Olde Bagg
Did you visit Marie Laveau's tomb?That's one stop I would venture to and pay her tribute.
Oh yes!! we most definitely visited Marie Laveau's tomb.
beignets ..... heaven
My brother graduated in '69, oldest sister in '71. Don't know what class your sister was in. What I sometimes feel bad about is when someone on Facebook wants to friend me, someone from high school.... and I have no clue who they are. Poor memory or they were more than two years removed from me...
ptrmom ~ I can sympathize with you about the poor memory. lol My sister's graduated in '65 and '68.
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