I rose at 6:30ish after the 6 alarm that I rolled over for. I had packed the night before and was amazed that everything fit. I added my PJs and a few last-minute items to the roller bag and was once again surprised that the zipper could take that kind of pressure. Done. I then, having decided only to walk the ten blocks to the other side of the Quarter once today, checked out and stored my bags. I did take my laptop. It was another hot day, and the light rain was now a miasma of humidity that settled on you as you walked the streets of the Quarter.
Parts of Decatur Street are in pieces, and even parts of the sidewalk are being swallowed up in a rip-and-replace process that I am sure is not improving the business climate. I walk past Cafe Monde and head past Jackson Square to Cafe Beignet for my hit of powdered sugar and fried dough. No mules are out for tours, and the cafe is not open until 8; I write the blog until it opens. I let others try the first batch and finally get mine. I think they’re still a tiny bit undercooked and explode white powdered sugar all over me, the table, and the ground. Too chewy for me, but I slowly enjoy them as I write the drink their coffee without chicory.
I later learn from Chris, my driver for my carriage ride behind a mule, that his choice would be Loretta’s Authentic Pralines for Beignet. When in season (I did not know they had seasons), fresh crawfish savory beignets are the best there (though Chris thought the frozen ones were not bad). Also, they stuff pralines in the beignet, and Chris thinks they are the best for sweet versions. Something to reserve for the next trip. I am already thinking about late January 2027, dear readers.
I wrote and wrote. Cafe Beignet, this one, is also on Toulouse Street, which leads to the Greyline tours. I often look up and see Ubers and Taxis dropping off people or slightly lost tourists heading toward the river to find their bus. Here, I headed to the plantations before. I planned not to return for this trip.
The blog is long and published around 10-ish, and Chris, with his mule who fears tubas, heads out for $30, plus tip, for a 30-minute tour. You can get a private tour for $150 for 30 minutes. I joined the standard fare, and a family filled the other seats. Chris is local and has lived nearby all his life. He tells his story well and covers the usual stories. I know all the stories he tells, and between his spiel for the tourists, I learn that he has a food cart with his wife, is licensed even in Oregon, and has family in Brooks. He was there recently and ran his cart there. Chris says he covers the Southwest states too.
I reminded him of Muriel’s Jackson Square Séance Room as we passed by. He then told the story of the set table and how they keep it up every day with a glass of wine and a piece of bread to make the former owner, long dead, happy. Chris also says he believes Muriel’s (business casual is required) has the best food in the Quarter (he has held family events there). Another item from Chris for next time. Chris pointed out the LaLaurie Mansion, which some call the most haunted place in NOLA. I later learned it was mostly reconstructed, not entirely rebuilt, and not open to the public.
I also learned from an Uber driver that New Orleans has an excellent Civil War battlefield area. I will add that to the list of things to do. And the WW2 museum someday too.
With that short visit done, I walked through the Quarter again. Checking the historical markers, I noticed I had missed something. Jenny Lind stayed at a manor (now replaced with a modern building) off the square—I first learned of her in the musical Barnum. I also checked my memory, and I had the correct place where the Good Friday Fire started.
I stopped at the Cathedral as it was not quite 11, an early lunch for me today, and gave three dollars by Apple Pay and lit a candle “For the Future” as part of the support for the building (I tried PayPal twice, but it did not work). I always like church buildings, especially ones with Stations of the Cross between the stained glass. The Archbishop was getting ready for Mass and said a friendly good morning to me as he went to the confessional for any last-minute items before Mass. Not being Catholic, I didn’t partake.
Napoleon House was my last meal for this trip in the Quarter. I also had a Primm’s Cup with my muffuletta quarter sandwich, plus a side of jambalaya. It was then a long walk back to the hotel in the heat, and I regretted the booze in the drink. I arrived without issue, and soon a driver took me to the airport for a set $36 plus tip. The bag drop was without excitement, and I remembered my iPhone and put my ID away.
Security was just a metal detector, and I had to take off my suspenders. It took no time at all. Laptop out this time, and no additional checks for me. I read, sat at the gate, and soon watched Wrath of Khan, then The Search for Spock on the next plane. I had a three-hour layover in LAX and spent most of it reading and drinking overpriced drinks ($47 with well booze!). I had a sandwich on the plane to LAX that I got at the New Orleans airport, just a pre-packaged ham and cheese (they are usually good, and this one was fine).
(Watching my gate with a finished drink)
Corwin found me waiting at PDX. My plane was 20 minutes early, and he drove me back in the EV — he picks me up in my car. The mail hadn’t arrived (the hold ended today), but a large box did. I thought it was a book. It was a Kickstarter. I opened the box and the game. It is another figure-based Viking game, Vahala. A new game and also an add-on to the board game Blood Rage. Lots of figures to paint. Hmmm.
Then I went to bed after taking my meds and unpacking a few items. Most of it will be laundry on Thursday.
And I soon fell asleep until about 4. The time zone change is getting me again. Thanks for reading!
