In Jackson Square
No further miles on the car however we have done plenty of foot miles today !
We basically roamed the streets today as it seems to be the thing to do (except we weren’t touting tarot readings or playing musical instruments or selling drawings or painted gold and standing like a statue in 32 degrees or wanting to take y’all photos or persuade people to come into their cafe).
Lady playing a calliope on the Steamboat Natchez
Liam took the opportunity to sleep in. So Adrienne and I had breakfast then headed to the French Market which – although burnt down and flooded on occasions – has operated in this spot since 1781. Other than cafes, its one of the few places open before 10am and even then there were still a lot of stalls just setting up. We had a quick look at what was open – one guy almost had Adrienne in a headlock haggling on a piece of jewellry – and we decided we would come back as we thought there were a few interesting options for lunch.
Lafitte the Pirate’s Blacksmith Shop (a pub)
We went back to the hotel to drag Liam out of bed and took him to Cafe du Monde for his breakfast. This cafe has served “cafe au lait and beignets” 24 hours a day, every day, since the 1850’s ! Beignets are like donuts covered in icing sugar. We ordered a serve of 3 to try – Liam had most of mine. Then we were just about to leave and the table next to us got up and left a whole plate untouched. The little chinese looking waitress saw Liam’s forlorn look at the potential waste and picked them up and put them in front of him – “they ok – you have” she said. So he did !
View along Royal Street
We then headed down to the river where the riverboat Natchez was moored. Just as we arrived, a lady started playing the calliope on the back of the boat. It produces sounds by blowing steam from the boilers through whistles. She stood at a piano type box to produce songs – recognisable but not the most tuneful !
As it was hot and muggy we headed to a museum (and the air conditioning !) to see a couple of exhibits – one on Hurricane Katrina from 2005 and the other on the history of the Mardi Gras. They were both good exhibits.
We then did a walk up Royal Street and back down Bourbon Street – 2 of the famous locations in New Orleans.
Our hotel – Place d’Armes
By this stage we were hungry so we headed back to the French Markets where Adrienne and I tried the Cajun Hot Dogs and Liam had the Alligator sausage on a stick ! Quite spicy but tasty he says.
By this stage Liam had had enough of the sights and headed back to the hotel. Adrienne and I checked out a few more shops and then walked the few blocks to Armstrong Park – dedicated to the great Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong – a New Orleans legend.
Our feet were also giving out at this stage so we headed back to the hotel as well.
Mardi Gras costume
I think I mentioned yesterday that it was all go around here. Well the “all go” starts VERY early !
First it was the garbage trucks, then the bells from the cathedral, then the people next door getting their wake up call, then the people next door waking up and having a very loud conversation, then the bell hop loudly collecting their bags, then the next lot of traffic, then………… its a great location – but its all go. Even now writing this I can hear a band busking a block away in Jackson Square AND THERE’S THOSE DAMN BELLS AGAIN !
Only kidding, its been a great spot to get the real feel of New Orleans.
Tonight we think we’ll try the Gumbo Shop for dinner. It get’s great reviews and even our chef hostess in Natchez said it was a good choice.
I think there are a few more shops Adrienne wants to check out again also !
Tomorrow we head to Houston. As they say around here “y’all come back visit us real soon” – and from what we’ve seen we may just do that some day !
Ahhh, love the architecture.