Lake Charles to New Orleans

It's really difficult to keep this blog updated! My days have been pretty packed full of driving, doing, hiking, sight-seeing, etc. I'm forcing myself to hang out at this Starbucks just to take the time to get another entry posted. Starbucks... it's torture. =P Actually, I've become addicted to a second item at Starbucks now, they have milk chocolate covered graham crackers they sell at the register that I now purchase with every breve chai. I keep telling myself that I need the calories anyhow. =P

As we get closer to the port towns in Louisiana, more and more I see advertising for the cajun and creole food that is famous here. There is a difference between cajun and creole, you know. Anyhow, I see signs for crawfish-xyz (where xyz is about anything you can think of like boiled, fried, omlettes, salads, sandwiches, soups, etc etc). Also, poboys, something called boudin, jambalaya, gumbo, etc. So being excited about new food, and being hungry, we stop off at a road side diner. Thus begins my streak of bad food exp

That is boudin. Along with a crawfish McPoboy, and a massive lump of potato salad, scooped by what must have been a giant of an ice cream scooper. It's hard to go wrong with balls of spiced sausage and rice. But they did.

My stomach was about back to normal by the time we got to New Orleans proper. We had just enough time to locate the nearest Starbucks, and find lodgings at dusk. The room we found was located in the French Quarter, and was quite nice.
This would be home for two nights as we did all the touristy stuff there was to do around town.

The old buildings, dating back to the 1700s were really quite amazing. Some really looked that old, while others were remodeled, but still retained the shape/feel.

There are many of these little outdoor courtyards between the buildings. All beautifully landscaped. Many with hanging gardens, or fountains. Some with little outdoor shops. The French Quarter seems to be divided between art shops, souvenir shops, bars, gentlemen's clubs, and bad food.

Bourbon Street is home to the bars and gentlemen's clubs.

Canal Street, where the Mardi Gras parade happens.

So I thought I found a place to eat, that looked really old and legit. I soon found out that all of these are tourist traps. Beyond that, they are over priced, all serve the same food, and comprise most of the restaraunts as you walk around.

Jamabalaya... it was horrible.

Mardi Gras masks are huge here, and are available at all the souvenir places. Coincidentally, all stores sell the same merchandise. Just as all the bad restaraunts serve the same bad food. I think the New Orleans mob must run it all.
Tug boat on the mighty Mississippi.

Really amazing crypts. There are a few of these unique cemeteries in the French Quarter. I guess they don't bury their dead in this city, because they are so close to the water table. Makes for very intersting tombs. They happen to be shooting a film on Canal Street while were there. Doomed to be a huge flop, I'm sure. Wrestler John Cena stars as a cop in 12 Rounds.


It does look to feature a pretty sweet El Camino though. Maybe it'll be worth seeing.

The absolute high point of the visit for me was Mr. B's Bistro. After a day of being disappointed with food, I scoured the internet for a decent place to eat. Mr. B's was awesome, from appetizer to desert, everything was amazing in quality and flavor.

Katrina damage was all around the city still, especially in the residential areas.