As classes have begun, I find myself less inclined to write a post. But since New Orleans is currently my favourite city in the US, I decided that I could surely dedicate a few paragraphs to the charming city.
I had often heard of New Orleans but it never meant anything to me. It was just another city. But after this trip, I realized that New Orleans has story to tell and so much more to offer than meets the eye. It had character. I was amazed to see how different New Orleans is compared to the other American cities I had visited. I found myself on familiar ground as I walked along the streets where the European influence was striking. This city, the Big Easy, had a concoction of cultures, an unexpected blend of European, African and Caribbean culture.
The city was vibrant with art vendors by the square, street performers and jazz bands, hippies with tarot cards and even poets for hire. The architecture in both the French quarter and Garden District were beautiful but the distinct feature that caught me eye were the iron lace balconies. Up close they seemed a less glamorous and perhaps even a little old and industrial but from far, they were beautiful intricate artworks. It was a grand thought that the stubborn iron could be made so fine and so delicate.
New Orleans also had lots of lovely food. My pictures can attest to this!
A stop at the local museum struck a more somber note as it explained what happened during Hurricane Katrina. The museum was well designed with a variety of multimedia and successfully brought out the plight of the people who suffered from this horrible catastrophe. The souvenir shops were loud and colorful with their tacky Mardi Gras merchandise. The skulls and voodoo dolls were less to my liking but I suppose you can’t have everything in life and it did give a rather hipster feel. Pralines shops filled the air with a sweet aroma and I love it! Nightlife was extremely lively on Bourbon and Frenchmen street with crowded bars with live jazz bands.
Finally, I felt like the stop at Preservation Hall completed my stay at New Orleans. The discordant sounds that ricocheted of the walls of that historic building reminded me that the unexpected can surprise you. Discordant sound can make beautiful music. Likewise, a variety of different cultures can give rise to a charming city with a distinct character. It was a pleasant trip!