Nawlins and Me - Signs and Sagas!

The 'first' time my husband, Frank, and I planned a trip to New Orleans -- an impending hurricane storm redirected us to San Francisco instead.

This time, the storm brewing was in my stomach, and unfortunately, not enough of an excuse for the airline company to reschedule our flight.

So, our trip was set. Like it or not, sick or not, tired or not, we were off to New Orleans to meet up with an old high school chum and his wife (Frankie and Debbie Billeter) for 3 'fun-filled' days of eating and partying. Partying? ugh!

The Billeter's are seasoned travelers, having visited Nawlin's often; and, thus, were to have the pleasure of showing us the sights.

Hmmm......A churning in my stomach, however, caused me to wonder. Was it going to be a pleasure?

Using the airplane trip to our destination as a place to sleep and gain my energy, we landed and I claimed to be ready to go.


Me, being the good sport I am , managed.



So, here we go......the saga.


Arrival ..... at our hotel recommended by my friend, Paula Meyns -The Renaissance Art Hotel - on Tchoupitoulas Street.


Ready and rarin' to go! (I hope ;-0) )







Serendipitity....the first block, Canal Street, there was my drummer girl! leading me on. Ok - this was gonna be OK! I kept assuring myself. Afterall, there would be signs like this one to assure me I was on the right track and would make it.





Our friends....Frankie and Debbie -- they look like they need a good shot of 'marilynsonthemove' don't they? - were ready to begin the tour.


and, I'm up to it! or am I?


The walking tour began and while enjoying the different scenes, I was fading.


Things are looking up............just when I felt the need to rest my weiry bones and my rattling tummy, the horse and carriage appeared. Take me a-wa-a-a-a-a-y! Or at least around the French Quarters, please. I just need to sit.

The tour started off great until the driver started talking...........oh my goodness, we couldn't understand a thing the driver said -- Creole? No. English, yes, but Cajun English and FAST.

My year in Haiti listening to the French Creole language there, wasn't helping a bit!


Oh well, I just wanted to sit down anyway. ..... For the rest of the group, not so good.



Too bad, too, because I think he was telling jokes? We missed the punch lines, but laughed anyway. Ha!







Next day - on foot again -- the Riverwalk - and all the shops - The French Market and all the shops -- side streets and all the shops! Geez! When do we sleep? Ok, ok, I'll enjoy it -- afterall, when will I do this again!


I needed a sign........................ask and you shall receive...

My mom joined us......in spirit only though.


Within The first block we came across this 'sign.'

ADELAIDE -(my mom's name) and here she was on our first corner.

Now, is that coincidence or divine intervention. Watching out over her sick daughter -- a little reminder that all would be ok.

She was probably telling me to try to eat something to keep my strength. Funny and sweet. Hi Mom, I miss you.








No, dad, I'm not.......Okay, it might look like it, but I'm pretending, really.


My dad didn't gamble. Thought it a waste of $. I guess I do too, but the seat looked inviting, so I thought I'd have a little fun since I was fast beginning to fade and the A/C felt great as well as the seat.

Plus, I just had to see Harrah's.









Trying....yes, Debbie and I were trying to have some fun -- posers!














Another sign! A serendipitous moment -- this RED door (for those of you who know) is on my Vision Board that I created in December 2008.


On my Vision Board - the RED door is the symbol of the door I will walk through to new adventures. And, here it is. Wow, this is getting eerie.






While I'm standing right in the middle of the lobby of Mother's Historic Restaurant on Tchoupitoulas Street having (or watching) breakfast with the gang and feeling a little nausea overtake me, I noticed this RED door.




The door is actually an elevator. It is used by the staff to go to the 2nd floor butcher market where the meat is being carved. But, for me, it was a metaphor and I was listening. I was still going to be OK!



Now, I must say, I didn't eat anything there, but the rest of our group did and nearly everyone in the city was there. Mother's apparently is delish and 'always busy.' It is tucked away 4 blocks from Canal right across from our hotel, serving all the regional flavors - morning, noon, and night!


Be sure to visit when you are there - a local haunt for sure.



Get there early, the lines forms and then grows.







I made it through the first day - hungry and weak, but I made it.



With the strength of another night's sleep, we were ready for the Garden District.





Today, we are taking the street car to the Garden District and Debbie is trying to get my Frank to check out the schedule. I don't think he is paying attention, do you?

The Garden District is a far cry from the downtown district and I must say - a nice change of scenery.







Beautiful homes line the streets and the 2 majestic universities - Loyola and Tulane stand side by side in their splendor.













While flying by the roadside sights, it is important to keep your hands and head inside the streetcar.












Never have I been so up close and personal with a tree -- a branch scratched my sunglasses and I was just sitting there in my seat. Now, that's close!






Sitting all day and not eating certainly isn't my idea of a good time, but about all I could conjure up for the day. Especially since we were hitting Bourbon Street that night.



Our friends thought it only fitting to try the World Famous Acme Oyster House. Uh, no!


Well, ok. I had to think of my Frank and the others, too - didn't I?


After a short wait in line, dinner was served (I had grits) and all enjoyed. I did check Acme out in my AAA Tour Book and it only had 1 STAR -- but it's World Famous, so -- Go Figure!

On to OZ, Dorothy!

Oz? Yes, Oz.........we couldn't do Bourbon Street without checking our referral from Barbara Marshall -- 'you must go to Oz, it is a blast.'

So, what could we do.....We went, we saw, and most of us conquered!


Even my Frank walked in with me, stayed awhile, and then joined Frankie #2 outside. Deb and I took in the sights and then joined our guys.


Another time and another place, I would've been a lot more fun!


One of our group refused to enter -- and it wasn't my Frank...need I say more, Billiter? So, back to Kansas (Bourbon Street) we went.

Oz was actually the only place on Bourbon Street that had any really good music and a crowd.

What is New Orleans, without VOO DOO.......

and here it all was right at my fingertips -- if I could just reach it........a good Catholic girl should not be seen near or in a voodoo shop, but I couldn't resist = the rebel that I am.

Yea, right! No dolls purchased, so you can all relax. :)

Bet you know what that is....................yup...it's Frank, enjoying his 'first' beignet at Cafe Du'Monde.

It was midnight and since we couldn't find any good music (all rock and roll) on a Sunday night in NOLA -- we walked another 10 blocks to the French Market and enjoyed the coffee and pastry.

That, I couldn't even resist either. My stomach didn't mind at all - Mmmm good!


Next day..............last day!

Then, just when I needed it as if we ordered it, another 'sign'..............Right across the street from us the whole time, was this fantastic little restaurant with outside bistro tables and a constant gathering of people. We had been watching it, but no chance to stop by.

This last night, we were on our own because I had spent the day in bed completely washed out and trying to gain my strength back after not eating anything for 2 days. So, we decided to let our friends off the hook and do our own thing that night.

"Let's check out Lucy's" we said, "and see how it is." So, we wandered over and were we glad!

As if it was there just to make us feel at home and to send us back on our way - there was Lucy's Restaurant owned by a Retired Surfer from Santa Cruz, CA serving all the typical American fare from tacos to hamburgers and even a salad for little ole me and a Po' Boy for my Po' Hubby and Loyal Companion Nurse - Frank.

Lucy's was perfect. We were both happy and felt that it provided the needed comfort and charm of the home we were beginning to miss. And, for me, the plain old unseasoned food from my kitchen and a good ginger ale.

Even had a landshark (*see previous blog) surf board sign up on the wall (giving me a sign) and an adorable little local waitress named Ellie who took care of us and made us feel at home.

A trip -- not the best one for me and naturally not for Frank -- but a chance to meet up with old chums and see a new place, experience different cultures and foods, and most of all, be glad to be home. I know I'm a Warrior after this trip and the spirits got me safely home.


All in all, it was priceless!


Til next time Nawlin's and Hello Ponte Vedra!