Spooky Week in the Big Easy, Day 1
Hey all! Checking in from New Orleans, Lousiana, where my partner Kristen and I are celebrating our anniversary! This is our first trip to the Cresent City, and we're spending the week taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes of New Orleans!
Beignets & Bookshops
Our day started on the early side – rolling out of bed at 4 in the morning to catch our red eye flight. LAX was as packed as ever, so naturually we arrived at our gate just in time to board. A few sleepy hours later, we were looking out over the mighty Mississippi River snaking through the trees below. I'd been bracing for sweating through the high humidity, but as soon as we left the airport, I felt a nice cool breeze keeping it in check. A quick ride to our hotel was accompanied by some excellent commentary and tourist advice from our driver (thanks, Melida!).
After an easy check-in, we were ready to hit the streets. First stop, the world famous Cafè du Monde. I was planning to order at least a half-dozen beignets, but Kristen suggested we start with a single order (3). Turns out, I seriously underestimated both their size and how filling they'd be. That said, they lived up to hype in every way. The chicory coffee was likewise quite good, and even better with a spoonful of leftover powdered sugar stirred in!
After that, we took our time walking up and down nearby Decatur street, towards the French Market. Just across from the corner, we literally followed our noses to a Cajun restaurant with the tempting aroma of a seafood boil wafting right out the window. The aptly named 'French Market Restaurant & Bar' turned out to be just as good as it smelled. Our reccomendations? The seafood gumbo or shrimp étouffée, and a side of fried pickles.
If there was a lot to see in the French Quarter, there seeemed to be even more that you could buy. To quote Kristen: 'Soooo many gift shops'. Leaving aside the typical tchotchke traders – most specializing in raunchy t-shirts and corny shot-glasses – there were some real gems to check out. While Kristen enjoyed the offerings of a number of shops that I can only describe as witchy, I found myself inevitably pulled into the orbit of the quarter's used booksellers. Both Dauphine Street Books and Crescent City Books proved to be delightful distractions from our aching feet.
As the sun started to set, we decided to have our first sip of the New Orleans nightlife. Recommended by some friends of ours, we headed for Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 Being partial to tiki bars already, we expected to enjoy the vibes and drinks. The verdict: Excellent aesthetic, delicious drinks, and friendly service with more than a touch of earnest southern hospitality!
Day 1 was done and dusted soon after; both of us crashing out from our early start and putting some serious miles on our shoes. In our opinion, the trip had already been a blast.