New Orleans Trip Questions Answered

OK,  I'll try to answer some questions asked about the recent fiasco holiday in New Orleans. I may not remember them all, but here we go...

1. The aircraft was the E-190, twin-engine jet.  The configuration offered 94 seats (including First Class), a center aisle with 2 seats on either side. Seats were comfortable and roomy and there was plenty of head room in the aisle. The popular aircraft is manufactured by a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate. The E-190 has been flying commercially since 2004.  From what I've read, the aircraft is fuel efficient and with fewer seats most flights are close to full all the time.  USAir is the only airline to fly non-stop to New Orleans from Philadelphia..  All other airlines flying out of Baltimore make at least one stop and/or a change of planes.  Not wanting to spend most of the first day in and out of airports I opted for USAir and happy about the decision.  

2. Don't know the brand of tablet the man in plaid was using, (it didn't look like an iPad) but I am sure the jigsaw puzzle app is available for many formats.

3. Many homes in the Quarter have courtyards behind the main house. The center of much activity, the courtyard often boasted a carriage house and the slave quarters. Many of these  have been turned into charming apartments.  Providing lots of privacy and little street noise.

4. There is music everywhere in the Quarter; most of it free.  All you have to do is take a walk to take in some of the best voices and musicians around.  They may look shabby, but baby, they know their stuff. The loud stuff belching from open doors of bars on Bourbon Street is OK, but mostly for the tourists and many charge a cover, plus minimum to stand inside and listen. The small groups, trios and such, are found on virtually all streets in the Quarter.  Finding them isn't a problem. 

5. The mighty Mississippi, now somewhat tamed, is still a restless river and her swirling currents create sand bars; river pilots even today are brought on board at certain areas of the river to guide ships through safely. Read Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" for more.

6. No one (except tourists) wears Mardi Gras beads unless it is Mardi Gras. Locals find it gauche to wear such garb in the off season.  Saints garb however, is appropriate any time of the day or night - every day of the year. Yes, the city goes absolutely insane about their football and their team. Even those who aren't football fans. 

7. There is a very good grocery store (Rouse's, part of a small chain) two blocks from the hotel; a pharmacy (Walgreens?) four blocks away.  The grocery store also makes salads, sandwiches, and baked goods daily.  And remember, you can purchase beer, wine and liquor at any of these shops, too. Prices are reasonable, considering the location, and the selection of beers and wines, quite extensive. 

8. The photos of the River and Cathedral were taken from the "Moon Walk" (named for previous mayor Moon Landrieu. father of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)) atop the levee, and yes, that was the most glorious day of the trip. Cooler temps, high clouds, no rain, and low humidity. 

9. If you happen to walk by a building where there is broken glass, shattered mirror fragments, and stumps of burned out candles on the ground, just keep going. It was probably part of a voodoo ritual performed over night. 

10. The hotel is called the Inn on St. Peter.  It is one of a small group called French Quarter Guest Houses  The rooms are clean and cleaned every day. There is a flat screen TV with cable, a Keurig coffee machine, iron and ironing board, and a hair dryer in each room. All rooms on the ground level open into the courtyard, (a thick, high wall with locked iron gate stands between the street and the courtyard for privacy) while those on the second floor open onto the balcony facing St. Peter Street.  The Inn is on the corner of Burgundy and St. Peter.  One block from Rampart Street.  The rooms are not big and luxurious, but who cares?  You'll not be spending much time there anyway. I was within blocks of everything without the constant noise of Quarter life. The whistle of the Stern-wheeler, Natchez can be heard when she leaves port every day, but that is a thrilling sound that brought back many memories. The Inn website is HERE.  I loved the place and would stay there again.

Oh, and yes, there was a real life Street Car Named Desire as evidenced  by the photo above taken in 1948.  By the time I was old enough to ride public transit, they had been replaced with buses, though the tracks remained for a few more years. 

I think that's about it.  If I have forgotten anything, I am sure you will let me know.

And so it goes.
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