I got up just before 8am to see the sail-in to New Orleans. it was disappointing really and the weather was over-cast. However, it did brighten up and we had a great day in New Orleans.
We took the shuttle bus in to the French Quarter – Toulouse Street and then we just walked around. It was very quiet in the morning. I don’t think New Orleans wakes up until mid-afternoon.
We looked in at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic places and it is a beautiful Church.
On the same street as the Church, there was a large film crew and we spoke to someone from the catering area and they said that the film was called Broken City and Catherine Zeta Jones and Russell Crowe are in it. We saw some extras but no-one famous.
It was being filmed at the Roosevelt – a Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
One of the best ways to get around New Orleans is by trolley bus. A day pass costs just $3 which is great value.
Another interesting way to see the French Quarter is by horse and carriage.
The French and Spanish influence is very evident in many of the buildings.
Bourbon Street is a very famous Street in New Orleans for music and all kinds of entertainment. Canal Street is a shopping area within the city.
I wasn’t sure what to make of this guy. Clearly predicting some kind of builder. As a human statue, I thought he might be the Universal Cowboy Builder !!!
Once again the Irish get around everywhere even in New Orleans !!!
New Orleans is famous for jazz and other kinds of music. We could hear the different styles as we went around.
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of ‘Aunt Sally’s’.
We walked to Jackson Square and went in to St Louis Cathedral the oldest Cathedral in the United States.
His Holiness Pope John Paul 11 visited this splendid historic Basilica in 1987.
There is a large statue of a soldier on horseback in the middle of Jackson Square.
New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras which starts in February and there was evidence of preparation for this internationally acclaimed event.
Food has a very distinctive taste in Louisiana and when we were here before, I tried a ‘Po-boy sandwich’ and it was vile so we didn’t bother with the jambalaya and the Gumbo or the alligator sandwich !!
We walked to the French Market and browsed the stalls.
A stall caught my eye. It was displaying Inspirational Poetry and the stall holder who was the poet recited a poem to me called ‘ The Strength to face the Day‘. I bought a couple of cards and had my photo taken with Charles Garrison, the poet.
As we came out of the market, we saw the golden statue of Joan of Arc known locally as ‘Joannie on the Pony’
We came across some other street sculptures like this lady sitting on a bench.
John and I had a debate about this lady, we only saw her from a distance and I thought she was a statue and John thought she was a ‘human statue’. What do you think ?
As we walked back to the bus which was down by the Mississippi River, I spotted the symbolic sculpture of ‘Ole Man River’
We had been to New Orleans before but we enjoyed today just as much. It is an exciting and quirky city with a variety of styles and cultures but our day was not over because back on board the Balmoral, after dinner, there was a jazz concert given by Duke Heitger & His Steamboat Stompers and although jazz is not my genre, we really enjoyed it. The musicians were exceptional and it was a great way to finish our day in New Orleans and a real treat.
We didn’t leave New Orleans until midnight and after the show we went out on deck to see the lights of the city and as we leave, we are on our way to Galveston, Texas.
We had a long day and went to bed very tired. Nevertheless, we are thinking of all our family and friends at home and other places as well.
Lots of love and God bless
from
Sally XX and John XX
sally's space 