Lori and I have long wanted to visit New Orleans and with the completion of major projects at work, we decided now was the time to go.
Day One
We flew into town at dinner time, so after checking into our residence (the Marquee) we headed out to the French quarter for dinner. After the airplane it felt good to stretch our legs.
The collapsing Hard Rock hotel was on the next block over and had a significant impact on our stay. Firstly, it was on the direct path from our residence to the French Quarter. Second, being on the edge of the evacuation zone we were always aware that at any time we may be required to evacuate. Lastly, the street car line we planned on using was closed causing us to walk far more than originally anticipated.
The Hard Rock hotel collapse was next door to our residence
Day Two
Our goal for the day was to explore the French quarter and to find live music. The day started rather rainy so after a delicious breakfast we headed to the National WWII museum.
The museum was an interesting experience, particularly when contrasted to the museums we visited in Europe. We found the international museums to be a bit more balanced by highlighting the efforts of everyone involved, both the good and the not-so-good.
Heading back into the French Quarter, we discovered the club Maison, and enjoyed good food, drinks, and live Jazz. A walk home via Bourbon Street finished the day.
You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning 
Eggs Benedict with BBQ pork debris 
Pin-up girls pinned up 
It’s amazing how the cathedral survived the destruction 
Those that passed support those who are still fighting 
An angel as part of what appeared to be a personal altar 
Getting ready for Halloween 
One block off Bourbon Street normality reigns 
Evening jazz at the Maison 
Bourbon Street
Day Three
The day dawned clear and dry so we headed back into the French quarter after spending the morning in a time share training class.
Our first surprise of the day was encountering a funeral where the mourners and Second Line were walking and dancing behind the hearse.
We spent the day walking around the exploring. We finished the day with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. I don’t know what I was expecting but it certainly wasn’t what we experienced. The music was fantastic and singing along with the band was memorable. I expected a bigger hall but instead found that the venue was more like you Grandfather’s man cave. It made for a very intimate experience.
It’s always interesting to see how little you need to make a great meal 
A New Orleans funeral complete with the Second Line 
Although we walked everywhere, alternate means of travel were available 
Bourbon Street loves the booze 
Distinctive French Quarter architecture 
Paddy O’Briens, the home of the hurricane 
Preservation Hall Jazz baby 
Preservation Hall — great jazz in a humble setting
Day Four
As a thank you for sitting in the training session, we received passes to a city tour so we spent the morning on a tour bus exploring the city and learning about the impact of Katrina and the story and technology behind the above ground cemeteries.
The was the first night of the Blues and BBQ festival so we went there for dinner and enjoyed an excellent BBQ meal while listening to more enjoyable music.
BBQ and Blues festival in Lafayette park
Day Five
This was evacuation day 1. To reduce the risk of the cranes falling from the roof of the Hard Rock, the city expanded the evacuation zone and planned on detonating the cranes. We figured our response would be to slowly walk around, stopping for munchies and drinks as we felt like it. By this time, our feet were getting tired to a series of sittings sounded good.
We wandered to the waterfront generally enjoyed a dry and warm day.
At some point in the afternoon, the evacuation was cancelled with the detonation postponed to a later date.
We finished at the Maison, again enjoying the food and the music.
People watching while enjoying breakfast 
Sitting on the street and watch folks pass by 
This city must love its hot sauce to support an entire store of just hot sauce 
Open air market 
St. Louis church was guarded by a troop of street performers 
Lori took pictures too 
The Nachez paddling along on the Mississippi 
The Maison, round two, for more live jazz
Day Six
The day started with the hotel staff knocking on our door and asking us to evacuate. It seems the city was more serious about detonating the cranes and we needed to spend an entire day out and away. So, despite the fact that our feet wanted us to rest, we headed out and spent the day at the Blues and BBQ festival. We started out sitting on the grass and ended the afternoon sitting on park benches in an adjacent park. The music was plenty loud enough to enjoy.
The cranes were detonated mid-afternoon and it wasn’t until after dinner that we were allowed back into our residence.
Creole breakfast 
“Lord Lord Lord Lord sure been good to me” 
More Blues and BBQ
Day Seven
This was our day of rest. Our feet were quite tired so we spent most of the day inside and resting, taking meals locally. It was also a rainy day that further inspired sitting inside and resting.
We did make it out long enough to visit the Preservation Hall a second time. Though it wasn’t as interactive as our first visit, it was still great music.
Impressions
We really enjoyed what is certain to be our first visit to New Orleans. The food and music were excellent and the city was warm and receptive. When we come back, I hope the street car is running!