Party Time! New Orleans, Louisiana

As we arrived in New Orleans, the first thing I noticed were all the beautiful homes! I didn’t know what to expect, but the area where Natasha lives had been mostly renovated and definitely still exuded the southern charm. That night we met Natasha and her dog Oreo in her cute house along the Bayou. We called it an early night since it was Sunday, and in the south, much like in Europe, Sunday is their day of rest and mostly everything was closed.

The next morning Mom and I decided to spend the day exploring the French Quarters. First stop, Café du Monde for some delicious hot beignets smothered in powdered sugar and rich French café au laits. We then took a 3 hour walking history tour through the French Quarter.  It was incredible to see how the city had rejuvenated itself since Hurricane Katrina. I just loved the architecture with the bright colors, balconies overflowing with vegetation and flowers, music booming around every corner and beautiful vibrant art displayed on every post, fence and wall. We walked into some of the most incredible boutiques filled with Mardi Gras masks, beads, colorful costumes and the most bizarre ornaments.

Sexy Jester Ornaments in New Orleans

After the tour we got a local recommendation to eat at Deanie’s Seafood for lunch with direction to order the Nectar Cream Soda… The food was great, but you can skip the soda, unless you’re into a Shirley Temple Float. The sugar level was just a little too excessive.  That evening we met up with Natasha after she finished work and had dinner on Frenchman street at a local Cajun Italian restaurant and then finished the night off after hoping around a couple bars.

Natasha and I on Frenchman Street in New Orleans

Now… I know I missed a ton of places, like Bourbon Street, Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s, Willie Mae’s Scotch House, Pat O’Brians, and of course, a Hurricane. But, I know for a fact that I will be back, with beads and all.

The next morning, we started driving in the direction of Texas, but stopped off at Oak Alley Plantation where they used to harvest sugarcane. We took a tour of the house and then had a lovely traditional Cajun lunch with a waaay too strong Mint Julep. Luckily, my mom was DD to get us back to Houston safe and sound.

Oak Alley Plantation View from The Big House