The Big Easy . . .

Welcome to New Orleans, fondly known by some as The Big Easy.  On Saturday morning we woke early and watched the ship wend it's way through the twists and turns of the lower Mississippi finally coming to rest by the Crescent City Connection Bridge and the Greater New Orleans Bridge.  I watched the sun rise and loved the brilliant skies to start the day.

We were packed and ready for a taxi as soon as they would let the four of us off the ship.

There are so many words/phrases/indicators to show us we are in New Orleans.  Pralines are a local candy and 'whodat' is all over town.

Mardi Gras is over but there are still hundreds of beads hanging from street signs, lamps and trees.

Sherwin will tell you that I probably do have an obsession with the fleur-de-lis. The city of New Orleans uses it for their symbol as did the French royal family.

Love the design. . .

St. Pierre Hotel, where we are staying in the French Quarter, has a long history. They have a trumpet once owned by Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, hanging on their wall. (there are probably old trumpets attributed to Armstrong ownership all over town)

The Hotel is composed of a number of old houses that date back many years. We are living in the Peyroux House finding it to be pretty much just an 'old house'.

As soon as we had our luggage stashed here at the hotel we took off for a self-guided walking tour.  Before the day was out we had done our walking tour, a mule-powered buggy tour of the French Quarter and then we took a city wide bus tour.

Some of the houses are already decorated for Easter.  This home is done up very nicely.  Much of the French Quarter looks beat up and worn out but there are homes here and there that have been maintained quite respectably.

Cute bunnies, right?

We all wandered about soaking in the atmosphere.  Sherwin did find out that you had to watch your step some with such uneven pavement and lamp posts right in the middle of some sidewalks.

Details, details, details. . .  it is the details here that redeems the community.  A little colour splash helps too.

We do not use such charming crawl space vents at home.

Does this photo remind you of others you may have seen of New Orleans' French Quarter?

We had a good walk before we succumbed to the comfort of our buggy ride.

The flag of New Orleans flies proudly from this bar.

We had started our morning walk in the upper far right corner of the Quarter and ended down by the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square...cool church.

Musicians are sprinkled here and there throughout the Quarter entertaining and gathering crowds around them.  An especially colourful group got out attention in Jackson square.

Where we also climbed aboard our buggy ride which gave us a different view of the world.

You will see more photos of our Saturday wanderings on Sherwin's blog.  We are sharing a camera (if you can imagine) so Sherwin covered the bus tour of the afternoon.

Sunday morning we were off and wandering early.

Artist's leave their mark behind all over town, even on the sidewalks.

We walked on down to the Mississippi River first thing, walking along a well finished park at water's edge, where we found the 'Natchez' paddle wheeler. We saw up on top of the boat an entertainer playing for the crowds below with his steam whistle.  It was Loud but well done.  Notice the orange light in some of the whistle. . .

The rear view of the 'Natchez' sitting on the muddy Mississippi.

The Italian community has erected a statue honouring all their people who have come to America to settle.  The above faces are part of the photo below. Love those faces.

Well done work.

Maybe we were missing our ferry rides at home but since the ferry ride was free and it promised a great view of the skyline of the city, we hopped on board, rode across the river and back again.  We have nothing but time so we just do what comes as it comes.

The skies were dramatic to help with the photo.

Sherwin and Lorne decided they wanted to see a movie at the IMAX so Gail and I kept walking along Riverfront taking in the sights and smells.  We came upon a small shop making beignets (my favourite kind of French doughnut).

After re-joining with the boys we climbed aboard a streetcar for a tour of the Garden District which should probably be called the Money District.  There are miles of gorgeous homes in this area all worth millions of dollars.

We saw two very lovely synagogues too, along with Tulane and Loyola Universities.

The homes are a variety of styles and most all of them are quite appealing. Huge homes, though, that are sitting on large lots with mature landscaping and well manicured lawns.

Would love a contract on any one of these homes.  I could help them spiff up the interiors, I am sure.

When we came to the end of the St. Charles Street run I gave the camera to Sherwin to finish off the day with an educational walk down Bourbon Street getting us back to our hotel.

When I look through all my photos I see many more I want to share and I will as time goes on...you know from experience how I am slow to let the good times end.

You all have a great week.  This morning, Monday, we are headed off to see the Oak Alley Plantation House down the river on another bus tour.

Be well.