We have only just arrived and already we have experienced the spirit of New Orleans. It is clear that NOLA is so much more than Mardi Gras. When we arrived this afternoon we decided to head off to our rental (the back end of a typical New Orleans shotgun house--fascinating architectural style) by public transit. This scheme of your father's, complete with google maps, included four buses and two transit systems. Of course, this was to be accomplished while dragging our suitcases. The up-side was that it was to cost only $1.25 each. When we got on the bus with only just enough money we discovered it was actually $1.50 each. The driver waved us on, gave us our transfers, and welcomed us to New Orleans. This was the first of many kindnesses we were to encounter. Did you note the Mardi Gras beads in the picture?? Don't worry, I didn't complete any immoral act. In between either bus one and bus two, or maybe it was bus two and bus three, I made your dad run out and fetch them off a traffic sign. SCORE! Anyways, I digress. Let's get to bus four. Well, bus four never came. We ended up dragging our suitcases 2.5 km into a district complete with junk yard dogs. That isn't a metaphor for anything. It actually had junk yards with pit bull type dogs throwing themselves against the fences. How do we know we shouldn't have been there? Well, a car pulled up and said "get in--you shouldn't be here". Trustingly we tossed our suitcases into their trunk and hopped in. Sometimes you just have to take a chance. Turns out our rescuer was classical violinist Rachael Jordan, daughter of the renown jazz saxophonist Kidd Jordan. On our way to our apartment our new friend Rachel gave us a brief introduction to the layout of New Orleans Jazz. We did arrive safely. We are just off Esplanade (in the way that off Broadway is really quite off Broadway). Our apartment is in the home of New Orleans artist and photographer Syndey Byrd. Syndey no longer lives here, but we were met by her husband Richard who was able to give us some background on Syndey and her art. The guidebook in the picture includes Syndey's photos. As well, the photograph, one of many in the apartment, is Syndey's work. Another blessing. Catch up with you again in a couple of days. You are always in my prayers. Love Mom
1 Comment
Elizabeth Hickling
3/12/2014 10:40:25 pm
Junk Yard Dogs! LOL - only you and Ray!! No really...you shouldn't be here! I love it!
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Ray & Diane
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