A leisure day in New Orleans

Tuesday 9th October 2018

Today we did not have a strict agenda to follow so in the morning was busy updating my blog and had breakfast in our room. Of course Gerry had to go downstairs and outside a couple of times to have his smoke so he brought up news of the weather conditions outdoors. We’ve been following the weather channel and specifically where Hurricane Michael would be making landfall. It is such a shame as we have been to Tellahassee and Pensacola and certainly the latter is such a beautiful place with lovel beaches and nature parks. Everyone has been warned to shut up their homes and evacuate as the water surge from the waves is expected to be some 12 feet high which is above 3 and a half meters high.

Well our today’s itenarary included visiting the cathedral of St.Louis and stroll through the Armstrong Park – dedicated to musicians and specifically Louis Armstrong, exploring the French Market and taking the street car (we call it a tram in Europe) to the cemeteries.

We have been lucky to only have a few showers and most of the time we were either indoors so we didn’t use our rain ponchos today.

Our walk took us first to Armstrong Park just outside the French Quarter – it was tranquil walking around and admiring the various statues commemorating all those musicians who have been associated with New Orleans. Also the landscaping incorporated the natural features of the Mississippi – lots of waterways, causeways and bridges.

The entrance to the Armstrong Park just outside the French Quarter – a park dedicated to all the musicians associated with New Orleans

One of the little bridges across the landscaped Armstrong Park

Mini lakes landscaped in the park creating such tranquility

One of the statues in the park depicting jazz musicians

We then went on our search to find the oldest Afro American Catholic Church in the US – the church of St. Augustine , https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Church_(New_Orleans)

The church of St. Augustine, was founded by free people of colour in 1841 and who bought pews so that slaves could go to church. This is the oldest Afro American Catholic Church in the US

And then we had a lovely walk through Royal – a street that also has had three names depending which colonist was ruling

The original name was Spanish as depicted in these walled tiles

During the French colonists, the street was called Rue Royal …..

This is how the street is called nowadays

As I was taking pictures of the beautiful homes along this street, a gentleman asked me whether I knew that the house that I just had taken a picture of, was actually haunted. As I had already read about haunted houses in New Orleans, I wasn’t sure whether this was a specific one. This guy went on to tell us that he lived opposite this corner house also known as La Laurie House and as he had been in the realty business he had often been inside this home. But there is no such thing that the house is haunted……..Apparently Nicholas Cage owned the house for a couple of years but sold it a few years back to a realty investor from up north who only comes to stay about three times a year. https://ghostcitytours.com/new-orleans/haunted-places/lalaurie-mansion/

This house is not open for viewing but it is spectacular to just admire it – especially now as it’s been decorated for Halloween

The La Laurie Mansion -full of haunting stories

We then walked further to get to the Cathedral – St Louis – which is situated just opposite the Jackson Park.

St Louis Cathedral has been a place of worship for both free people and slaves and of many colours for more than 400 years

One of the French canons in front of the museum in New Orleans

And on the other side, we could see an even older canon – a Spanish one

General Jackson on his horse in the middle of Jackson Square which is actually the middle point of the French Quarters and in front of the St. Louis Cathedral

In the cathedral, it has become a tradition for us to ligh a candle for our dearly departed

Its a magnificent building, built in the early 1700’s by French colonists and it has been is use ever since. http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/our-history

Finally after lunch at the waterfront, we strolled along the French Market – very interesting articles on sale such a gator heads –

Entrance to the French Market – founded by the French colonists on grounds used by the Native Americans as their trading posts. It is the oldest market place in the US

Inside the French Market, there are many stalls with fruit and vegetables, arty curiosas, and of course loads of Mardi Gras beads

My Mary Market cocktail when we stopped for a drink

By that time we were quite worn out but before heading back to our hotel to freshen up and have some time out, we decided to take the street car line 47 to the cemeteries. It was quite a way away but well worth the trip as it provided us with some lazy sight seeing.

Street car nr 47 took us way out to the Cities of the Dead

Gerry hanging on the tram – or rather street car as this known here

On the way, we also guided tours in a horse drawn carriage

Another monument on the City of the Dead dedicated to the firemen

In New Orleans, the cemeteries are known as the “Cities of the Dead” but this was the solution the French colonists thought of to burying their dead above ground as this area is well below sea level

This time we chose to close our stay in New Orleans by going for cocktails and bites at the Royal Sonesta’s Jazz club and listen to easy going jazz music. The band playing there was just great and in fact played a great repertoire . Strangely enough the pianist was an Asian – from Chinese parents who had moved to Florida…… As New Orleans celebrated its 300th anniversary of being a city, I ordered the French cocktail 300 while Gerry had some local craft beer.

Such a beautiful and relaxed evening – to close off our trip to New Orleans

They produced such great jazz and other genres

We had a lovely evening and were ready to move on tomorrow to Vicksburg and no worries, we are driving away from Hurricane Michael and we are not in any danger…….

Author: Liliana

Retired banker now spending time travelling the world with my soulmate, Gerry. Early retirement due to the fact that the bank I worked for changed their direction from global to local and hence my expertise was not needed any longer - now using my passion and energy in discovering the world after I have worked enthusiastically for so many years, brought up my daughter and son and now still have good health to enjoy my new experiences. View all posts by Liliana