I had a conference in New Orleans, and I was able to squeeze in some sightseeing along with work. Good conference, but an even better trip. I lucked out with flights and juuuusst missed all of the American delays last week. I learned about barbecued shrimp and lattes with beignets. I even took a morning off, and a friend from college and I went on a cemetery tour. The tour began in the French Quarter and we walked to St. Louis Cemetery #1, which is the oldest still-standing cemetery in New Orleans. We had a real gem of tour guide, both knowledgeable and a real advocate for cemetery preservation.
The blue sky in cemetery photo is no Photoshop trick, it really was that beautiful that day: 80 oF and low humidity.
I stayed at a Hampton Inn that had been converted from a cotton factory/warehouse. Check out the entrance, covered in tropical vegetation.
In fact, I was fascinated by the palm trees the whole trip. Must be my Midwestern upbringing.
A paddlewheel boat docked on the Mississippi River:
One of my favorite spots: St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square.
This was a surprise: the gates to the cathedral close before dusk and minutes after the gates are closed and after the tourists leave, a group of cats came out. They lounged on the sun-warmed cement and played. It was like they were relieved that finally! those pesky people have left and we can relax!
The miniature Bunsen burners inside the gaslights in the French Quarter. I'd never seen these before, always figured they were from another era and long gone.
I couldn't resist a mardi gras hat for O. He calls it his dragon hat, which makes more sense and is easier to explain than mardi gras, so we're going with his words for it.
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