What a restless night. A car alarm sounded for nearly half an hour. At least four of my roommates snored simultaneously through the night, each with a unique tone and pitch.
Same routine as yesterday morning - climb down the bunk, shoes on, backpack on, hit the bathroom, fill up canteen and out the door. But this time I catch the trolley for a relaxing trip down Canal Street. Jump off at Chartres Street. Hardly anyone is out at this hour. The skies are clear yet the temperature cool. I arrive at St. Louis Cathedral a few minutes before mass begins allowing me time to snap a few shots.
 |
| Interior of St. Louis Cathedral |
The first reading is from Ezekial 47: 1-9 where it talks about his vision of the new Israel where a river flows east from the southern side of the temple and empties into the sea and the river is too deep to wade and there is an abundance of life on the banks of the river and fish in the waters of the river. It's interesting to point out that directly south of the cathedral the deep waters of the Mississippi River actually flow east and soon after empty into the sea.
 |
| The cathedral and Jackson Square |
Today is a half day at work. The place is dead. Hardly anyone comes to our booth. I get a complimentary blood pressure test. 115/67, perfect. Say farewell to everyone and then change clothes and hit the streets. Today I am on a mission to eat alligator.
 |
| Tantalizing items on The Market Cafe menu |
I settle on a pleasant welcoming restaurant called The Market Cafe at 1000 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. I order a plate of fried breaded tender alligator tail meat and a cup of gumbo which is a local favorite that dates back to the original Cajuns and is a soup made of sausage, shrimp, rice and vegetables. Both dishes are delicious! Everyone told me that alligator tastes just like chicken. I disagree. I think it has it's own unique flavor that may be similar to chicken yet the texture is more chewy. The gumbo is by far my favorite. I could eat it forever. The waitress offers me a dessert. I almost never eat sugary foods but, what the heck, this is New Orleans and I want to experience a little more of what they have to offer. She suggests their bread pudding. Wow! This stuff is fantastic. An exquisite rich flavor that reminds me of the flan my wife makes. I have to eat it very slowly as I can feel the effects of the sugar.
 |
| Mmmm, alligator! |
 |
| Delicious gumbo |
 |
| Bread pudding |
A block east on Decatur Street is the French Market Place - a covered open-air market with independent booths offering everything from fresh fruit to cured pig's feet and wardrobe accessories such as beads and Mardi Gras masks, leather belts, and dresses as well as popular souvenir items.
 |
| Cafe in the French Market Place selling gator bites, crawfish, pig's feet and other delicacies |
|
I make my way east to Esplanade Avenue before strolling back admiring the architecture and charm of the French Quarter on Chartres Street. Horse-drawn carriages roll down the street amidst cars and skateboarders. Multiple means of transportation travel along together down the narrow street walled in by brick buildings with ironworks balconies colorfully decorated with green foliage and Mardi Gras decorations.
 |
| Decatur Street |
Making my way along the river it's time to visit Algiers Point. I want to catch the sunset over the city and Algiers Point will provide a great vantage point overlooking the river. Along the river locals and tourists alike are out for an afternoon stroll or just sitting on the grass enjoying the Big Easy.
 |
| Banks of the Mississippi |
Further upriver the Natchez riverboat has just departed for an evening cruise. It is beautifully decorated and maintains the classic Mississippi riverboat appearance. It's bright red paddle wheel powerfully propels it forward leaving a wake of rapids behind.
 |
| Natchez riverboat | | | |
|
At the end of Canal Street is the ferry that transports people (free) and vehicles ($1.00) across the river to Algiers Point. People board the vessel on the upper deck while vehicles drive onto the lower deck. The trip across river is only about 10 minutes. First impressions of Algiers Point is that there isn't much to see, as far as tourism goes. That's the case at least from what can be seen from the river. There is a quiet neighborhood ahead and what seems to be a ship building yard along the bank.
 |
| Crossing the Mississippi to Algiers Point |
 |
| Algiers |
Algiers Point is a great place to relax. I spend some time along the bank of the river, eat some fresh fruit I purchased at the French Market, and watch the transoceanic ships travel upriver as I wait for the sun to set.
 |
| The shore of the Mississippi River on Algiers Point |
The sun sets and the dusk sky becomes a brilliant blue like tanzanite. Cool breezes sweep across my face and arms. The city lights sparkle like diamonds across the river. The scene is picture perfect.
 |
| Downtown New Orleans cityscape |
The short visit to Algiers relaxed and soothed my soul. The quiet time spent along the river was well spent. I return to the other side and make one last visit to Bourbon Street. There is a certain energy that just draws me there. I don't drink or hang out in bars but it's a really fun place just to people watch. There's always a show and everybody is having a great time. Beads are tossed randomly from the second floor balconies. Music pours out from every saloon. Employees are on the sidewalks advertising their bar's drink specials. Tourists pose for pictures. In short, laughter and good times fill the street.
 |
| Thrilled with their newly acquired beads, and no skin was shown in exchange |
|
 |
| Gas lanterns are very common to see on the exterior walls of buildings |
|
|
At a different corner of Bourbon Street I meet the lady with the hotdog stand that was at the scene of a fight two nights earlier. She remembered me and said she felt bad for the guy that was arrested. He ended up just receiving a citation. I told her that it wasn't her fault and he was responsible for his actions. There was no need for him to start a fight. She added that he has been going through tough times and has a problem with aggression. She asks where I'm from. I tell her San Diego. She says she was in San Diego two weeks ago to visit her son who is a marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. Small world.
Back at the hostel I prepare for bed. This is my last night sleeping here and tomorrow will be the last day of my New Orleans experience. I relax for a few minutes in the living room watching some comedy show. This is a fun place, I would definitely stay here again. I'm starting to feel like a Cajun. Of course, I could never be a pure Cajun but rather a cultural Cajun which is someone of non-Cajun origin who becomes Cajun through cultural immersion. Well, tomorrow I will be leaving early for a swamp tour. I'm looking forward to it. Good night.......
 |
| Living room at the India House |
 |
| Sitting room |
 |
| There's a peculiar piece of garment hanging on the mantle here |
No comments:
Post a Comment