New Orleans

Jelly and Rick at breakfast
see all photos »

Sunday morning we had an 11:15 reservation over at the Marigny Brasserie on Frenchman St in the Marigny. We met Jelly there and had brunch while listening to the Pfister Sisters, a local trio doing songs from the 40’s and 50’s. Of special note: the bathrooms were next to the dining room which is extremely rare here – most require a long hike through a courtyard, to another building, through the kitchen or sometimes all three. A heavy downpour hit as we were finishing so we just lingered at our table for another half hour - and our waitress kept assuring us it was okay, no rush to leave.  You’re never rushed to leave anywhere here. When it eventually cleared up we wandered back over to the Quarter to the corner of Royal and Barracks where the parade begins at 2-ish. It felt a little longer this year (which is to say 20 minutes instead of the usual 15) and was capped by a huge marching band at the end, a first for the parade, and a welcome addition. More pics and then wandering over to CC’s Coffee house and then over to Bourbon to people watch. A good 90 minutes later the parade slowly made its way back going in the other direction barely worse for wear. This time I had thought of filming the marching band for a minute or so to capture the moment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zvAfnnRJtU). Got some pics of the Nunsations (http://www.nunsations.com/Nunsations/ABOUT_THE_NUNS.html ).  Talked to one of them and he asked me to send them some pics later. More hanging out then suddenly realized how overtired I was so back to the hotel to crash and to start to pack. 

DSC06910.JPG
see all photos »

We then headed back over to the Royal Cafe one last time for some more veggie burgers. Devon was gone, but her sister Erin was still there, exhausted but friendly. As we were eating our dinner, Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” came on the jukebox and a guy at the counter started to dance slowly, like someone's grandma at a wedding. The guy next to him told him to stop since we (meaning us) were trying to eat dinner. I said it was quite alright and why don’t you get up on the table to dance, but he wouldn’t. We started talking to them and they were Jeff and Bill from Atlanta and Ft Lauderdale and were drunk as Jeff reminded us several times between apologizing for bothering us. I keep telling him they weren’t bothering us, we could’ve left a long time ago. He started showing us pics and movies on his i-Phone and wanted a picture of my armpit but I politely declined, saying we were genteel stock from New England and we didn’t do that sort of thing.  Before we left I asked if I could take a picture of them (meaning the two of them) but they got everyone at the bar to come over and join in. I suspect they were all just as toasted but they were all having a great time. As they headed back to the Ritz Carlton (“it’s not all that”, was his description) they invited us to join them but being of genteel New England stock we politely declined. One last walk down Bourbon St to say goodbye and another stop in front of Napolean’s Itch to watch yet another amazing dancer for a half hour. Party was going on full steam with people dancing in the street and (not seeming at least) too drunk, just having fun. But it was time to leave, and count the days until the next time.