"Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards." Author: unknown

" Remember...

Stressed spelled 

backwards is Dessert "

Unknown

A visit to New Orleans is a great way to forget about life for awhile.  There is so much music, food, laughter and fun that your cares will surely melt away in the merriment. 

Sorry we did not learn the name of this talented group of musicians playing on the corner on St. Peter St. right outside of the fresh food market that offered a wonderful selection of fruits, veggies, 
cheeses as well as wine and beer.

                                     Night time on Bourbon Street Statue ala New Orleans flavor ;~)

                                       Many women set themselves free on Bourbon St. in New Orleans ;~)

                                                                    Killing Me Softly
There are almost too many talented artists competing for your singing, music and dancing dollars in clubs, bar, cafe's and out in the street.

                         

                                                 Interesting mix of Religious and Voodoo cultures.

                     Roach   -You are going to see a bug like this when you are in the south.
                          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roach_(cannabis_culture)

                             These precious little angels are enjoying a break from morning classes to dance.

                                         When the Saints Go March In  - Louis Armstrong
                         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA 

                                                           Art for sale @ Jackson Square

 This cemetery is lovingly cared for by a group of volunteers.
A nice man took us to this open grave for a look inside.

 Because there was so much vandalism this grave is left open for curious people to see inside the tombs.

Lafayette Cemetery Number 1 

1400 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115

Right across the street from this cemetery is the Commanders Palace. 
 " Particular attention was paid to the heart and soul of the restaurant; the kitchen and the dishes created there. Commander's cuisine reflects the best of the city, both Creole and American heritages as well as dishes of Commander's own creating. Seafood, meats, fruits and vegetables; everything is as fresh as it possibly can be."
   http://www.commanderspalace.com/

"What we play is Life." Louis Armstrong

St Joan of Arc

"What we play is Life."  Louis Armstrong

The people of France gave the golden bronze statue of Joan of Arc to the City of New Orleans in 1972. (Note: This statue is an exact copy of the famous 1880 Emmanuel Fremiet equestrian statue of Joan located at Place des Pyramides, Paris.) This statue was originally located in front of the International Trade Mart building but it was moved in 1999 to its present location of the 'Place De France" on Decatur Street in the French Quarter next to the French Market on Decatur Street.

New Orleans is wonderful playground of music and food.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
Preserves the origins, early history, development and progression of jazz: includes information on facilities and programs.http://www.nps.gov/jazz/index.htm

Every visit to New Orleans must include rest at Cafe Du Monde.
http://www.cafedumonde.com/

These workers are busy all day

The tables and air are sticky with the sweet taste of confection sugar and chicory flavored coffee.

Jimi waiting patiently for his coffee and beignets.

Here is a link for some recipes to try making these famous fried dough at home. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/msg021302169917.html
The dough has an distinct taste of baking soda that is offset by the confection sugar. One order of beignets was more than enough for two to share.

I ordered the salad while Jim enjoyed the Oyster Poor Boy when we stopped to enjoy lunch in outdoor restaurant The Gazebo Cafe. The music entertainment is wonderful.   While you are here you might want to try the deep fried alligator. 

 http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d426423-Reviews-Gazebo_Cafe-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

 Savory Seafood Cheesecake was an excellent snack to share @ the Crescent City Brewhouse

French Quarter: 527 Decatur across from Jackson Square.  We enjoyed this with at Beer Sampler.

"In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the air, I knew I was home. It was rich, almost sweet, like the scent of jasmine and roses around our old courtyard. I walked the streets, savoring that long lost perfume."

 "In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the air, I knew I was home. 
It was rich, almost sweet, like the scent of jasmine and roses around our old courtyard. 
I walked the streets, savoring that long lost perfume."

— Anne Rice ( Interview with a Vampire )

In early April 2011 I was fortunate to enjoy an adventure in New Orleans to attend a family party.   Evidently there is a festival in New Orleans almost every week; the weekend of our travel was a particularly large event called the French Quarter Festival.  We were fortunate to find a room in the French Quarter with late travel plans.

  

Chateau Dupre French Quarter Hotel
  http://www.neworleansfinehotels.com/chateauduprehotel/
Picture of our room, perhaps one of the last ones available for that weekend, behind this curtain is a view of a brick wall.   We had to pay $35 each day to park the rental car. It was a joy to be within walking distance to anywhere within the French Quarter from our hotel.

 Being able to walk a few blocks down to Bourbon Street is a great way to begin an adventure.

New Orleans is a strange mix of Alcohol, Sex, old time Catholic religion and Voodoo.

Poor Jimi looks like he has seen a ghost after a visit to this shop ;~)

The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States.

St. Therese , the Little Flower, my patron Confirmation saint. http://www.littleflower.org/abouttherese/learn/index.asp

                                                          http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/

St. Louis Cathedral looks like Disney Castle from this view in Jackson Square.

        I have more images to share from New Orleans that I will include in my next blog entry.