When we first got there we took showers (seems to be the arriving ritual) and wanted to head downtown to get some food. Since we didn't know our way around we called a cab. My uncle Randy had suggested we go to Central Grocery to get a Muffaletta Sandwich, so when the cab got their i'd figure they'd know where central grocery was..but unfortunately the cabby must have been new cause he barely spoke english and he had no idea where one of the most famous places in new orleans was. He had to ask another cabby on the street. It would have helped if we had known the address but either way...it was an adventure. We got there eventually, but to our disappointment we were way too late to get any food there and almost anywhere. It was pretty late (around 10pm) and apparently a lot of places close early and bars open. We eventually found a little place called "Oceanas" It was a great little place where we got Po-boys and a platter of oysters on the half-shell (which I love by the way).
After that we made our way around trying to find the venue "The Blue Nile" to go and see a Reggae Turntablist called DJ T-Roy. The Blue Nile was a bar that...has really no rules. The Reggae "Culture" was pretty alive there. I was there to watch, listen and review the music, but it was difficult with how much smoke was in the air. We stayed for a few tunes so I could see how "Legit" T-Roy was. He totally was, but it was hard to stay there. So after I was able to get enough material for me to write a review we left and headed back to the hotel we walked about a mile and a half first because we didn't have much cash and wanted to take a cab, but we were probably too far initially.
The next morning we were set up to do some volunteer work through a connection I got from my independent study supervisor. We got there at around 9am (got a little lost on the way) and we immediately went over to a mans house that we called "Rev" (because he was a reverand). We were going to help him tidy up some land that will be property for a future home. (here are some before and after pictures...if they aren't up yet I am uploading them). This was pretty hard work but for the most part rewarding. The reason I say for the most part was because we were doing some substantial landscaping that was difficult and tiring...as well as containing a few poisonous plants of sorts because for the first time in years I have a rash that was brought on from something...
We did a lot of work for him and we went back to the hotel to clean up and go see some Cajun/Zydeco music at the famous Mulates. There was some time to spend in the city before the show so we got to go to get a Muffaletta
finally from Central Grocery. We split a bunch of appitizers including such cajun fare as: Sauteed Crab claws, Zydeco Gumbo, and shrimp Ramoulade. We also shared a Zydeco Tornado and a Plantation Tea (both louisiana cocktails). 
The band we saw was called La Touche. We attempted to get out on the dance floor and though we had some fun, we couldn't seem to get into sync for the 3 step cajun waltz.
After all this we went back to the Hotel again to take it easy and sleep relatively early because we were planning on heading to south carolina to visit my Aunt Lisa.
New Orleans was a great experience and i'd like to go back someday.
No comments:
Post a Comment