Jen and I stayed at the Historic French Market Inn on Rue Decatur. The room was small, but nice and the hotel had some lovely courtyards.
Of course it was nothing compared to the Roosevelt where the conference was held. The Waldorf Astoria recently bought and renovated it. It was gorgeous!
Cedony gave the first talk out of our group.
I spent most of my days at the conference, but I did get to walk around New Orleans a little bit.
Cedony and me on the Moonwalk.
A closeup of the Natchez, the ferry in the background of the previous picture.
Tugboat on the Mississippi
Carriages after the rain, waiting for tourists.
St. Louis Cathedral from afar. The Cathedral (technically a minor basilica) was originally built in 1727, but a fire destroyed it and the current building was constructed in 1794.
St. Louis with the statue of Andrew Jackson.
One of the days I was down there someone was getting married inside. White carriages and drivers in tuxes and top hats waited around outside for the bride and groom.
I love the architecture of New Orleans so I walked around Saturday taking a few pictures. The homes down on St. Ann are so cute and bright that they just beg to be photographed.
Close up of house details
Some of the balconies were lush with overflowing plants and flowers. I was envious.
The Hare Krishnas were holding a festival literally across from our hotel. They had free vegetarian food but I was stuffed and had to pass. This was a shrine that was being set up.
I spent every night with my sister and her boyfriend going out to eat and drink and just having fun catching up. One night we walked to a bar near her apartment and made the brilliant/stupid decision to get a growler. The beer, Lazy Magnolia, was amazing though, and the jug is yours to keep. If you clean it out, you can even bring it back to the bar and they'll fill it up with your favorite beer on tap.
Speaking of food and drink, I ate like a king while in New Orleans. I'll just let this Facebook recount speak for itself:
Thurs: Gumbo at Stanley's with Jen. Good dark roux and chock full of sausage, chicken, oysters, and shrimp. Later I sat with friends at a hole in the wall bar across from the Roosevelt and had a boudin ball. Dinner was at the Green Goddess. I had the Oysters Delacroix and stole a bite of Catfat's Bison and Bacon Meatloaf. I had the Sultan's Nest for dessert. Then we went to the Erin Rose Bar for sazeracs.
Fri: Back to Stanley's to introduce others to the gumbo. I had the oyster poboy which was good. But I stole a bite of Veronica's Eggs Stella which was amazing. They are basically eggs benedict with a fried soft shell crab thrown on top. Then dinner at Juan's Flying Burritos a Creole Taqueria for pulled pork and fresh slaw tacos. Then a sample of 6 kinds of ice cream from Creole Creamery. The Steens Oatmeal Cookie was my favorite but Michael says the Gorgonzola and Toasted Walnut is the best - unfortunately they didn't have it.
Saturday: Lunch was muffalettas from Central Grocery, a daiquiri from a stand in the French Market and then a snack of beignets and coffee from Cafe du Monde. Dinner at The Joint where I had delicious ribs. Then Catfat and I walked to a nearby bar and shared a growler (1/2 gallon) of Lazy Magnolia beer.
Sunday: Lunch at the Cake Cafe where Catfat works. I had the crab and brie omelet. Very tasty. Then dinner at this El Salvadorian restaurant called La Macarena Pupuseria. The owner gave us all free sangria and was really friendly. And the food was awesome - cheesy, flavorful, savory goodness. We had some special tamale made with a rare flower and we took a slice of Tres Leche home and it was really good too.
Monday: Before I left we went to Coulis and I had their eggs benedict which is a poached egg on top of a jalapeño cornbread and pulled pork all of it drenched on hollandaise.
It is a wonder I fit into my seat on the plane. Now to start my dieting so that when I go back in a month I can pig out all over again.
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