New Orleans, pronounced NuOrluns

It didn’t start well. Delayed for 5 hours in Boston, that’s just the flight without the times wrapped around it, meant we lost a full afternoon in New Orleans.

We told ourselves that sleep is for the feint hearted. 

Having arrived late Thursday night we didn’t have time to do much except eat and wander. And then we got tired and went to bed. 

Our first impression was Bourbon Street. Yes that’s the street most people know of, famous for it’s vibrant nightlife.

In this city it is actively encouraged to walk the streets drinking alcohol, provided it isn’t in glass, and many bars advertise ‘Huge Ass Beers’ or large vodkas. 

For their sins, or actually this legal practice, every morning Bourbon Street is hosed down.

Not to be a prude (Bourbon Street reminded me of Nashville), I rather preferred Royal Street or Frenchmen Street, both full of art, antiques, cool cafes and restaurants. Apparently Frenchmen is where the locals and some of the better local musicians like to frequent.

Friday morning we got up early so that we could arrive at The National World War II Museum right as it opened at 9am. The plan was to spend a few hours there, hit the 1.5 hour Express Segway Tour, have a little lunch, do some more street wandering and then go to a concert.

Plan B went into action when we realised the War Museum was a full day event, and one not to be missed. 

The museum is huge, extremely well put together and well thought out. Our ticket included a 56 minute movie narrated by Tom Hanks which had taken five years to complete. Compelling viewing. 

Midday, we did scoot out for the Segway tour, something I had never tried. It had been my idea initially and in my head I could see myself quite comfortably gliding around the busy streets of New Orleans, sunglasses poised upon my beautifully made up face, scarf flying in the wind, not a care in the world, people stopping and pointing, ‘oh look at her, so elegant, she must be a movie star’. Until they showed us the induction video. And all the things that could go wrong. Which began the over thinking. Luckily we were the only two on the tour so our guide Tania could be very patient with me, catching me when I panicked heading down a hill. Ok it was a slight decline but in my hysteria I forgot to lean back, instead leaning forward which meant going faster. That was on the back of having ridden out the back door of the Segway office into a parked car. 

Halfway through our tour I realised it wasn’t much different to water skiing and I would be ok. 

MOD on the other hand was really annoying, gliding all over the place at speed from the getgo. Bloody show off. Now he wants to buy one to cruise around Christchurch. Whatever MOD. 

The evening finished with a musical concert at Smoothie King (SK) stadium. Usually used for basketball or indoor football, SK has seating capacity of about 16000 and is located right next door to the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Not sure what the Superdome is used for but it sure is pretty from the outside. I do love nice shaped buildings. 

The concert was a gospel band, Mercy Me. We had seen the movie ‘I can only imagine’ and were captivated with the music. When we found out they were playing when we were there, we just had to go. We figured it would be a great experience.

As it was.

SK reminded me of Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, on a smaller scale.

Naturally at the gates we were checked for contraband but as we had left our iPads and 44 magnums in the hotel safe, we were allowed inside. There was some question about the size of my ‘purse’ but in the end they checked my handbag with their little beepy thingy and I was allowed to enter.  Once inside, it was interesting to see that all the alcohol places were closed for the evening. I can only imagine that wouldn’t happen very often. Get that? That’s a pun? I can only imagine? 

Anyho. 

The place was full with an extremely diverse audience, age wise. 

I really wasn’t sure what to expect but figured that the two opening acts would also be gospel, which they were. 

Let me tell you readers, things sure have changed since my last regular church going (at the Church of England). 

For starters any of the three bands could have been any modern, crowd drawing (of a teenage girl variety) band in the world. 

Seriously, it was like watching one of my son Michael’s bands perform. High energy, great sound, awesome songs, audience interaction. I’m not biased. 

Aside from the music, the thing I loved most were the messages of peace, tolerance and harmony. 

Even if you don’t believe in God, even if you don’t believe in anything, how wonderful it would be if our young people, so many who are in despair these days, could come along to a concert like this and take away a little bit of love. Love for themselves, love for their fellow man. Hope for their future. Respect for themselves. Respect for others. 

Except this lady. This lady didn’t get the respect message standing up for most songs. Six of us couldn’t see. My new found kindness to humanity nearly left the building to be replaced by an episode of Turrets. 

This morning we did some more wandering before hopping into a cab and saying good bye to NuOrluns.

Goodbye USA. I leave you with so much more than I arrived. Like 3kgs. And the lovely words of our cab driver on the way to the airport, ‘have you retired yet ma’am?

Seriously! 

I’m at least ten years away from that. How old do you think I am? Oh Lord how old do I look?

My next blog is going to be a covert undercover operation, sacrificing this severely aged face to undergo some plastic surgery. All in the name of research. 

Watch this space.