How do you do New Orleans in one day? Well, you don’t. As a self-proclaimed expert I suggest at least a week to explore the Big Easy. So, the task of showing the highlights to a picky and demanding French-Canadian gal (ok, not really...in fact on of the coolest cats I’ve met...) in about a day is indeed a challenge. Her only demand for the visit to see a cypress tree (or whatever the hell is the name of those old-looking trees). The rest is up to me, the host. The trick is to get the attention of the newcomer right away. Without no time to rest and protest, take the party to the smack middle of the French Quarter. A Hurricane at Pat O’Briens on a Friday night will get just about anyone in the right mood. Then a brutal exposure to Bourbon Street and she’s hooked. But not too much the first time; this could backfire. Must avoid hangover to maintain the good first impression. Next day cross the Mighty Mississippi and hit the swamps. Indeed, turtles, snakes, squirrels, and even a baby alligator make appearances on the sunny bayou. And the cypress trees (or whatever the hell they are...) are lined up for a photo session, as if the sole purpose for their existence is to end up on a photo portraying a bayou . M. is content. Mission completed. Head back for the Quarters, via the nice and big houses and mansions of St. Charles Avenue. The streetcar is an option to enter the Quarter. Cute and nostalgic, and somewhat practical. But, pretty much any automobile is a better option to these slow and uncomfortable ancient steel wagons. Starting the daylight tour of the Quarters in big and dark Harrah’s Casino. Casino premiere for M. who wins a buck or two at the slot machines. Always an honor to lead a lady to unknown territory…A daytime stroll and photo op in hot French Quarters via Jackson Square, Café du Monde, Bourbon Street, and some cute sidestreet with cute lace balconies to satisfy the expectations the visitor has of NOLA sights. Back to business. Pre-party at the lakefront student dwellings before hitting the Quarters once again. PatO’s once again. Lesson learned: visitors should not necessarily consume the same amount of Hurricanes as accustomed "locals"...But, despite missing out on the weekly Blue Swede karaoke performance at Cats Meow and a post-party meal at La Peniche in the Rainbow quarter; M. seems to find the visit worthwhile. The comment "F**k Vegas, this is where I’m going for my next birthday" sums it up pretty well. And as far as the host goes: definitely worth extending the stay in town for a few days to pass Nouvelle Orleans on to a worthy world traveler...
New Orleans, LA. December 2001
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