http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , United States , Louisiana , New Orleans en-us Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:58:09 BST Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:58:09 BST Wow I didn't realise I was this far behind It's gonna be a long entry So we arrived at the Gateway Hotel at 7.30 ready to start the next trek. Our new tour leader was called Darcy younger than Dawn and on her first season as a leader. It took quite a while to get on the road but when we did we stopped by Hollywood again quickly for those who hadn't already seen it. Since we had and I'm going b http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-311799.html After a relatively short by US standards train trip we arrived in a boiling hot and humid New Orleans. We got to our hotel in the quaint French quarter and headed out to find an internet cafe and get some dinner. As soon as we left the cafe the heavens opened and a massive thunder storm rumbled above us. The storm provided some welcome relief to the humidity and the rain was refreshing after http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-307881.html We left Hot Springs and drove all day through forests farmland and swamps and finally arrived in New Orleans at midnight. The next day we walked around the French Quarter sampling the local food and drinks. In the evening we ate fried alligator and went to the Spotted Cat to hear some great live music. The next morning we woke to the smell of 400000 gallons of oil in the Mississippi river. Ou http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-303850.html Just trying to get the hang of this blogging stuff before the big flight. I've got all my shots a Vietnamese visa and a couple days worth of Baht to start out with. I think I'm set http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-301258.html Heather SaysI loved New Orleans from the moment we arrived. The weather is still hot but it's very muggy as opposed to dry like Vegas ... and it's very very greenThe majority of the architecture is French inspired making the city look very old world and romantic.Then there is Bourbon Street We went for dinner along here each night and then hit the strip for some cheep drinks 1 beers an http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-298984.html Driving all night from Washington DC with the only stop in Mount Jackson Virginia for dinner at Denny's we arrived in Memphis in the early morning. We made a brief stop to check out Graceland home to Elvis Pressley. After finding out the only way to check it out was to go on a guided tour we decided to just leave. We explored Beale Street for the rest of the morning before having lunch at http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-294264.html New Orleans http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-294237.html Hi GuysI've just come out of New Orleans Louisiana. Had a great time Went on a steam boat on the Mississippi. Held a snake. Played in a band on Bourbon Street. Drank grenades. Got chatted up by sexy american biker boys.Bourbon Street is amazing. It's like a cross between amsterdam and watford. Haven't made it sound great but trust me it was brilliantJust to let you all know I'm coming home e http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-292997.html Getting thereOur flight from Baltimore to Atlanta was delayed due to thunderstorms and hail around Atlanta so after 4 hours of sitting on the runway with no real knowledge of what the situation was...we finally took off and landed in ATL 10 minutes after the last flight to New Orleans had left. We found ourselves having to sleep overnight in one of the world's busiest airports. We tried to fin http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-287010.html I to let everyone know that we arrived in New Orleans last night at about 930 PM. We had a few glitches in our travels home BUT we are glad that we made it home safe.I know understand the meaning of the phrase There's no place like homeSarah http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-286198.html Test post from June 10 8 days before departureThis evening I registered with Travelblog so that I can get a head start on recording my travel to Den Haag Netherlands. This site seems ok so far. I still haven't figured out photohosting so I may have to host with another site.Things are picking up steam. Each day passes with the quickness of a rabbit or sharply drawn breath as the rollercoaste http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-286003.html So last time we left off I was just about to leave Missippi to go to transition. Well transition was a nice break because we had sweet rooms and big queen sized beds all to ourselves. It actually got somewhat boring because there was little to do.Well with out project we were suppose to be finishing building our housing and then move in and then get started on working on rebuilding houses. Well it http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-283951.html Wow i dont think i've ever been as hot as i have while walking down the street in New Orleans. So i arrived after a 12 hour train journey. To what i knew and had read is a pretty sketchy city. Basically if you walk outside of the tourist area's something is gonna happen that wont be good. I must admit i didn't put it to the test but even when walking down one street on the edge of the french quart http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-281323.html The pictures from New Orleans Louisiana were so plentiful and special I wanted them to have their own blog space. Des http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-280961.html Arriving in The Big EasyI arrived at 1 a.m. this morning. Getting off the plane was amazinghellip. I've traveled further than this before but for some odd reason the flight felt like it took forever. I sat in the Exit row which is always my preference but I got squished up against the window. The man net to me was elbow hoggin my space. So again.. twas a long ass flightMy first impressio http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-280246.html After an intensely celebratory graduation weekend 5 am Wednesday morning began with sneaking the trash from our house two blocks away to a dumpster. There is probably still an incriminating trail of potato salad which rotted in our dining room for 4 days on Grady Avenue. After this adventure we were finally able to get in the car to begin what would be a 14 hour trek to New Orleans Louisiana.A http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-280219.html College is over yet I'm still procrastinating I don't have long to type because I'm running late with packing and getting everything ready of course. Though I'll be honest I let it get a little too close this time. I didn't realize I had SO many things I needed to do. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-278249.html Having flown from LA via Atlanta to New Orleans we finally arrived to the sounds of the blues.We didn't know what to expect.Three years ago the whole area was completely devastated when hurricane Katrina hit.Very quickly we learned that 3 years on there is still lots of work yet to do.Extensive work is being carried out all across the area to repair the damage.And there are still homes that http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-278045.html The Taxi driver takes me to the India House hostel.....Well what can I say about it Well it's basically a hippy hangout...there are murals of Budha on the wall people who have stayed there for decades free condoms in the bathroom and alcohol allowed everywhere.....It only cost me 10 per night so I wasn't expecting too much. The French Quarter is easy to get to as the old trolley stops one bloc http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-277710.html The first day of our 14 month adventure began on May 1st with the arrival of our good friend Brendan to celebrate the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival. It ended six days later after many cocktails good music late nights and early mornings. As usual we passed a good time With only four days left before we turn our house over to a great couple and their daughter we started packing and clean http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-277052.html Another great roadtrip day near perfect weather 72 degrees no humidity and blue skies this morning so uncharacteristic of New Orleans in May.First order of business on the day aside from packing my things back into the car is a small detour on my way out through the Bywater and Lower 9th Ward neighborhoods to see for myself how things are looking. I am happy to say thing are looking unde http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-276566.html Of course there are a few other things that have influenced New Orleans in the more modern era. The government notably during the early 20th century has been famously corrupt and bribe oriented. Today some say just like the chicory in the coffee the french in the cuisine and the party atmosphere things come to this city and take up roost and not much has changed during these hundred years. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-276404.html Welcome to the city of New Orleans.............Willie Nelson would not be proud of my lack of recollection but hum the tune while you read this and it might paint a better picture.NOLA The Crescent City The Big Easy and The City that Care Forgot the list goes on. We all have a special place in our hearts for this city anyway you refer to it at least I do. This was my 4th Mardi Gras I thin http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-276402.html So...how is it that New Orleans and the French Quarter in particularly got this way so different then the rest of the country Well first though settled in 1718 it didn't become part of the good ol' USA til after the Louisiana Purchase and many say that it still in part hasn't quite joined up. Though it doesn't particularly look it the big swampy area was settled by the french army and http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-276398.html By myself now Rob to his classes in Montgomery and me onward to the Cresent City. The sights and sounds from my table at Cafe Du Monde still feel the same. Visitors crowd every table brushing powdered sugar off of themselves the city anthem Oh When the Saints Go Marching In playing mournfully on a horn in the distance. The sun is shining bright today the air is cool and to me the French http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-276392.html Since today was our last day in New Orleans we decided to set out on our already exhausted feet and do one last historical walk around the city. After a lot of miles and a few new blisters this is a summary of what we saw today...St. Louis Cemetery 1 This is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans built in 1789 to replace the St. Peter Cemetery. Many of the tombs from St. Peter's were moved to the http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-275618.html Subletting the apartment for the summer seemed to be a great idea. Most of my rent would be absorbed and the temporary tenant would get a nice and quiet place at a reduced price. His name was Russell. American guy in his 40's calm and quiet drink and smoke free riding around New Orleans on his bicycle. Wouldn't cause any trouble with the apartment complex manager would keep a very low profi http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-275474.html The school spirit for commuter college University of New Orleans is not exactly of the most exciting kind. Most students are fairly well aware of the fact that UNO has an athletics department but that's about it. UNO Privateers not being extremely successful in most sports especially compared to big brother Louisiana State Tigers does not help. Therefore it is a delight to see the same guy sh http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-275460.html You should have been here just a few minutes ago says the cashier at Blockbuster when we enter the place. Yeah What happened a few minutes ago is our obvious response. We were robbed the tall black fellow announces with a tone of indifference in his voice. What seems to be a normal evening at the normal Blockbuster store at the normal little shopping center apparently has offered quite a http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-275459.html I had a walking tour planned for today that was disrupted a bit due to our having to move our car out and back into the Harrah's parking structure validation is only good for 24 hours at a time. It's a good thing we have one more full day here so we can catch all the sights we missed todayWe started the day off at Cafe du Monde a coffee shop on Decatur Street that was established in 1862 and h http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-275267.html