Ok so the catchup has stretched to 4 parts, but that’s essentially 6 weeks in 4 posts and there has been a little bit happenning so I suppose it’s reasonable. Plus I’m just a little wordsy.
Feb 9 – 19 New Orleans.
Charlotte and I make our way into New Orleans to try and catch the tail end of Mardi Gras. I’d seen the major bit of the parade on tv, but now was a chance to experience the real thing.
My prepaid carspot looked like it was just on the edge of the no drive zone so we make the attempt. For once Garmin takes me the best way – we can access the open air car park off Canal street by the back entrance – all it necessitates is me driving 50 m the wrong way down a one way street, which the cop on duty allows me to do.
The carpark is 80% full, it looks like a few people have left rather than not being full, so I find the best spot I can, lock Charlotte down, hide all my valuables in my few secret spots and head on out.
The spot is between Treme and the French quarter, so the majority of people on the parade route are coloured. I really am one of very few whites in the area, but no-one, including me, has time to care – the last of the floats are coming through. I catch a few throws, but the kids are the focus and to be honest, all the good stuff is long gone. I only keep enough beads to make me look like I hadn’t just arrived.
I happily walk around, and once the last float trundles past, I make my way to Bourbon Street. It’s a mare – jam packed with drunk people, many of them not moving along but standing beneath many of the balconies dotted along the way. I can only assume it will get worse after dark, and as I’m clearly not in a position to get on it so I can at least put up with drunks, I sidle into a small jazz bar, Fritzel’s (Casey I can hear the laughter from here) and listen to the last set.
The place is a quiet haven away from the craziness of bourbon street – which has become worse in the 45 mins I’ve been inside. I try to make my way back, but give up about 3 blocks in. I do see the required and ubiquitous pair of boobs flashed from a balcony on my way. Still, seen one….
I wander around for a while before deciding I’ve had enough. I’m wary of the carpark for the night – it’s full of people drinking and loud music so I wait for traffic to die down before heading out of a more reasonable location.
The next week in New Orleans is weird but fun. I take it easy for a while, just potttering around some tourist haunts, try some local food at Cochon, named in the top 100 plces to eat in the US, sit in the sun and watch the Mississipi go by.
New Orleans is known as the Big Easy, and it is – the pace of everything is slower, more relaed. It’s the only place in the US where people regularly drive BELOW the speed limit.
its a place to relax in, chill out, slow down, take a breath which is probably not a bad thing.
A week or so later I finally have a beer at The Avenue Pub – N.O’,s undisputed craft beer king on a wonderful summers day
Valentine’s day pops around – listening to the local jazz station I’ve heard of a free gig for lonely hearts being held at Siberia so check it out. It’s wonderful and folksy and fun – check out the Host’s work on Spotify.
I’ve been trying to arrange my follow up but the specialist can’t fit me until the 23rd, I attempt to hang out til then, but eventually even I tire of New Orleans and have to head out.
I’ve loved being here – it’s been good for the heart and the soul, but it’s time to move on. I’m heading north to Memphis and Nashville and will get a referral to have my follow up with someone up there. To honest the guy here probably spent less than an hour on consulting with the cardiologist and all of 3 mins with me, so I don’t I’m risking anything.
Still waiting on insuance and how much my stay cost them – I’m fascinated to find out what US hospitals can charge.
The trek north takes me via the historic Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, before following the curves of the Mississipi River before arriving here in Natchez, MS
So that’s the catchup. We are all up to date and I will try to post a little more frequently.
Cheers.
