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Cars
Just a couple of the ruined cars that lined the streets of New Orleans Im going to start this entry by giving the run down on the state of New Orleans so i don't have to mention it again. During the train ride into New Orleans we could see all the places made famous on TV like the still damaged superdome. From stepping in the station we could already see the damage, broken lockers, boarded up windows and signs still hanging off buildings. This is eight months later in practically the richest most powerful country in the world, but we hadn't seen anything yet. This was in the main city downtown area. On the way to the Hostel as we moved further out of town the devastation really started to hit us. The streets were lined with practically the insides of peoples houses in huge piles next to ruined cars and rubbish. By the time we got to the hostel the whole area was pretty much deserted, it felt like a ghost town. Most people who are in the area were living in trailers and trying to rebuild their lives. In the hostel, you could see the water line (7ft high amd nearer the canalsover 1 story high) from the flood which was actually the
Jazz in the Park
Joey (random American!), Annie, Daniel, Amanda, Tomas and Trev of course! main cause of the damage as its that which pulled down bridges and uprooted pavements, there are even still occasional bodies found in houses! It is an awful sight to see but the people of New Orleans are still fighting for their once beautiful city (if the money promised to them gets there, but im not going to go all political now although i could!).
Right lets get on...........................
After our nightmare train journey we waited around the station for a couple of hours for the public buses to start. We eventually got to India house hostel at 8 in the morning and went straight to bed. I was woken up by an American girl (Amanda) who was going to the world famous Jazz Heritage Festival which we didn't know was on, but so glad it was. We went down with a group from the hostel. We managed to get a couple of tickets for half price from a tout so all the better. The music was great, a lot of the obvious, blues, jazz etc but also hip hop, bluegrass and ethic African music. There was loads of poeple there from different backgrounds and the atmosphere rocked.
Hanging on the Stoop!
This was pretty much the position we were all in most nights, with me and Daniel fighting over the soft chair! The food there was great too and we wanted to sample the tadional food of New Orealens. Trev and i tried a Softshell Crab Po-boy (a Cajun crab Sandwich thing, yum). We stayed until the end then went back to India House to make use of their dollar beer machine (best invention in the world).
The next day the Jazz fest continued and I thought without us, as the buget didn't stretch for a second day. However, the hostel sorted us with a guy that would give us a ticket if we scooped mango freeze for a couple of hours so we (Kathy, Daniel, Ricki and me, not Trev, he styed at the hostel ("chillling with the beer vending machine") jumped at the chance. Luckily, the guy didn't even need us as we were booked for the last shift and they ran out, so got the ticket for free. We tried the Jumbalaya (cajun rice with sausage, shrimp and chicken, very yum). We had a great day, saw the legend that is Paul Simom who i'd never imagine getting the chance to see at home. Lionel Richie preformed as well, and don't laugh he was really good, had great
The Legend
A little Paul Simon singing his hits, couldn't get much closer, it was packed! stage presense and played the auidence perfectly. Also helped that he did mostly his old Commadore songs, not is crud new stuff. Hung around the hostel again making good use of the pool (and the beer machine obviously!)
We ventured into the French Quarter the next day and grabbed some lunch in cool bar then had a walk round the area. The achitechure of the buildings is amazing with great balconys and the fire escapes are cool too. Its based (obviously!) on coloniel French buildings and it gives the place a brilliant atmosphere. Some of the bars a bit touristy but we got directed by a local to a couple of good ones that had cheap beer and good music. Due to the large African influence (being from the slave past) there were lots of voodoo style shops that sold all kind of black magic type charms, potions and voodoo dolls, it gave the city a very spooky vibe in places, New Orleans is also said to be one of the most haunted cities in America.
We left the next day for Chicago with Daniel for company too, hoping for a non-eventful train ride! We did go into
Waiting!
We're all slightly depressed here after going for pancake and missing closing time by 5 seconds!! Didnt help the hangovers!! the French Quarter again as we all wanted to complete our New Orleans cuisine trails with a bowl of Gumbo (rice with cujin spiced soup with shrimp, very, very yum).
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jackie
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lionel eh????
good to catch up with your travels, seems a while. could not of stood looking over the canyon, my legs are like jelly looking at the pics! new orleans, glad you got there, if that was a mainly white population u can bet things would of been done to get it back on its feet quicker!! oops being a bit controversial there!! so now your a mr richie fan kim?? bless. see you soon jaxcie xxxx