Louisiana and Lafayette

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April 8-11 in New Orleans and Lafayette

We stopped for a few days in New Orleans to experience and Creole and Cajun cultures. New Orleans was a beautiful and friendly city with amazing architecture, although we heard many parts can be a bit dangerous. We mostly toured the French Quarters since we happen to visit during the weekend of the annual French Quarters music/food festival. We had a little taste of what New Orleans is during Mardi Gras. The streets was one big party for the weekend. Everyone walked around with a drink in their hands, and people were laughing and chatting down the sidewalks. We really enjoyed meeting and talking to strangers along the way; Joy is a great conversation starter. =) I think the openness and friendliness of the people really endeared me to the city. There's also live music everywhere, and the food is fabulous. We had grilled oysters, boiled crawfish, po-boys, alligator burgers, to name a few. We also sampled some of the drinks New Orleans is famous for: The Hurricane from Pat O'Briens, the Monsoon; dangerous things... Bourbon street was definitely one big party, but the surrounding streets were fascinating neighborhoods. The French Quarter reminds me a bit of the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, but with more things going on and much more drinking.

We also enjoyed the outdoors as well since we camped just outside of New Orleans. On a random walk in the state park, I wandered into a zone with signs that said: Danger, keep out. The area had 3 ponds, and in one of the ponds, I spotted a suspicious appearing "log". After throwing a few sticks at it, I decided it was indeed a log since it didnt budge an inch. Later, we realized the "log" is a mama gator with a nest of babies next to it.

On our way out of the big easy, we stopped in Lafayette to sample some authentic Cajun food, specifically the famous boudins and cracklings. Boudins are sausage and rice packed into sausage casing. The fried boudin balls were downright some of the best food I've ever had. I'm definitely in love with real Cajun food. =D

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Photos

This guy has the life
A balcony view of all the great music

Another NO character
These people are the best

Napping on the way home
(after the Monsoon)

Woman on a Horse...in a NO Street
Only here

Featured on Diners, Drive-ins. and Dives
I had the Po-Boy, of course

...And Mama Gator was having none of it
She started moving toward me so we skedaddled