The mighty Mississippi is visible from our hotel window. It’s not called mighty for nothing , it’s huge . It’s bleak down there , cold ,drizzly and not the most inauspicious start to our day . It doesn’t stay that way . The foreshore could be prettier, there’s a lot of industry in the way . The potential for a world class water front is obvious to any traveller but I guess that is the charm of New Orleans , it’s like going back in time .
The two hour difference in time ( Louisiana is 2 hours ahead of California) ,plus a busy day travelling sees us get out of hotel just after 11am . We get breakfast at the most touristy joint , it delivers , only just . From here we enter into the French Quarter , I don’t want to be anywhere else right now …… but there’s a problem ….
New Orleans is not built for kids , this is all adult , all decadence , all the vices ….oh shit , I love this stuff . Make no mistake, you’ll regret coming here with your under 21s ….don’t do it . New Orleans is super cool ,an ‘AA ‘anti theme , a sober straight loving nightmare , god bless it’s soul , and by god has it plenty of soul ? You’ll never want to go to Vegas again after visiting ‘The Big Easy ‘ . The place oozes charisma , old world charm , class , history , grime , desperation and sweat . This place has seen some stuff and they’re proud of it . Emma and I can see it ; Louisianans love their city , they’re proud , they’ve got an identity, it’s what totally separates them from Californians
The parades are starting , we’re lucky to be here at this time .Mardi Gras starts next week , but for a few weekends leading into the big event their are lead in parades to set the appetite . We got lucky . We wonder into the French Quarter . This place is late 1800s – 1950s . The streets are made for horse and carts , there’s overhead balcony’s , eclectic shops selling the occult , cigar factory’s , Cajun restaurants and bars aplenty . There’s no outrageous prices on everything that you’d find in Vegas , this joint is unashamedly lower class and I love that shit . 32oz Daiquiris for $11 in styrofoam cups to take away . 3 for 1happy hours , strip clubs , Irish bars , gay bars , everything bars and nearly all with live music ……… fuck it , I might move here . We camp on a corner and suck on our daiquiri whilst the Barkus parade passes by . The punters are dressed up in almost everything , no one cares what you look like , it’s total revelry .This is a parade for dogs , no shit . It’s hilarious , where else are you gonna see this type of thing ? Just when you want to loosen up ,the handbrake grinds down your spirit : the kids . They’re bored , they want to get back to the hotel room to get on their devices . What the fuck have we done to our next generation ?What happened to hanging by your parents side whilst they got loose and listened to some tunes .? That’s right , you had no fucking choice but to suck it up … not this lot .
Bourbon Street ; debauchery , say no more . Ok , I’ll let you in on it . Wall to wall bars , music , takeaway / To go drinks , strip clubs , Irish bars , court yard bars , hens party’s , bucks party’s , all ages ( over 21 ) , endless happy hours ,on street edibles . Holy shit, this is no place for kids ……. I thought it was awesome as I was lead away looking over my shoulder with my top lip hanging over my chin . But alas , we head back to our room to get on our devices ……sad .
The food ; Cajun . It’s competitive, that means it’s good and the choice is endless if you don’t love fast food , thankfully that’s harder to find . Looks like the kids are gonna have to sit down and eat something other than Mc Donald’s or pizza .
The vibe ; street art , old world , traditional , Victorian , Deep South , individual , gothic , class , Melbourne in winter , mature , letting the hair down , relaxed with no judgement ……. The Big Easy
To our friends at home and abroad ; this place is a must on your to go to list ,but be warned ….don’t bring the kids .
To Al , Ash and Deb ; you’ve got to change your itinerary for 2022 . Add New Orleans , kids or no kids . Yes I know I said they can’t come but if it means missing out ………….. bring’m anyway .
aussiehowieinla 