Jeff's Jukebox: D-1

D-1: New Orleans, Gary "U.S." Bonds

Before I leave tomorrow afternoon, a special Jeff's Jukebox tribute to The Big Easy.

Heaven?

The beignets were great, but I have to admit that I was absolutely blown away by the coffee (cafe au lait, to be precise). My pet peeve with coffee is that I want it to be hot, and I want it to stay hot. Oh, and of course taste great. With a typical latte from Starbucks, I'm forced to make two trips to the microwave to bring it back up to the preferred temperature. With this beverage, it was still piping hot at the last sip. Bravo!

St. Louis Cathedral

The rear view. The statue is lighted from the front at night, and when you look down Orleans Street from Bourbon Street, the shadow takes up most of the back wall of the building. In a way, it looks as if it is bestowing forgiveness...and in another way, it looks like it is signaling "touchdown!"

Two Views of Decatur Street

Natchez

On the shore of the Mississippi.

The Holocaust Memorial

Two views of the New Orleans Holocaust Memorial. When you view the obelisks straight on, you see nothing - it's only when viewed from each corner that the art is visible.

WTC New Orleans

The World Trade Center, New Orleans. Without a doubt, one of the most hideous structures I've ever seen.

Harrah's New Orleans

For some reason, there's something jarring to me about a Harrah's being in New Orleans. I've been inside and it's a nice casino, but not any different than any other one I've been in. Just feels out of place here.

NO Monday Night

After a long day of conferencing (not that anyone was wondering, but I'm here for the Summit for Courageous Conversation, about which I will write later, once I've had time to reflect on the experience), I walked down the Riverwalk, over to Decatur Street near Cafe Du Monde, and then through some different, non-Bourbon Street parts of the French Quarter this evening. I was delighted to discover some quiet, dare I say it more authentic portions of the neighborhood. Had dinner at a corner restaurant called Pere Antoine, complete with open-air windows and perfect ambiance, and then decided to catch the early jazz show at Preservation Hall, which tonight featured the 726 Jazz Band. It was great; with the highlight being "Baby Face," dedicated to a smiling two-year old girl who danced most of the show away. Good stuff.

Some photos from the walk appear in the posts above this one.

Just Another Sunday Night

Bourbon Street was a bit much tonight, even for someone who appreciates the outrageous and the decadent as much as I do. Saints fans had been partying since the game got over in mid-afternoon, and all I can say is that I hope they find their way home. Whereas last night everyone genuinely seemed to be in a positive party mood, tonight there was a weird, aggressive feel in the air. It may have been that it was much warmer tonight, the humidity and stillness combining to make the crowd feel almost oppressive.

It made me think of this Obi-Wan Kenobi quote from Star Wars:

"Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."

Of course, I doubt that any of this is going to stop me from going back tomorrow night!

The Coolest Walgreens in the World

I realize that may not be saying much, but still...

What Distinguishes New Orleans from New Orleans Square at Disneyland

This pretty much says it all.

Because Unfunky Pirates Are Really Uncool

More Daiquiris!

Yeah, I guess I'm going to have to have one of these too.

Hand Grenade!

"New Orleans' Most Powerful Drink" - I suppose I'm going to have to try one of these before I leave.

Old Opera House

Lots of live music on Bourbon Street. Lots of neon.

Big Easy Daiquiris

Daiquiris and pizza seem to be a big combination in the Big Easy.

A Stroll Down Bourbon Street

I'm in New Orleans for a conference which starts tomorrow morning, so this afternoon I had time to take a stroll down Bourbon Street and some other parts of the French Quarter. Based on how much partying was going on at 4 in the afternoon, I can't imagine what things must be like right now, after the sun has set.

Took a few photos; here's one.

As the sign says, people are dying to get in here.