July 4th in the Vieux Carre

I know I have been conspicuously absent from the blog lately. Sorry about that. With my final semester of school, my full-time job, and my side business going full speed, I seem to run out of time most days to throw together the words to create a post. But, I will do my best and hopefully I will be able to make it a more regular occurrence soon. Then again, my readership is only about 3 people, so I can probably get away with it, don’t you think?

Anyway, this past 4th of July weekend, I spent visiting my sister in New Orleans. She just moved back there after spending the last 9 years in Washington, D.C. We grew up in a suburb of New Orleans and we both consider that our home even though neither of us were born there. I hadn’t been back to the city myself for several years. Between my career, my wife’s career, and our other travels, New Orleans just got pushed to the back burner. It’s sad, but true. Even after Katrina, I wanted to go back and support the local economy, but I just never found the time or made the effort. Now that my sister lives there, however, things will be different. I plan to visit at least twice a year, if not more.

But that’s not what I wanted to blog about. What I wanted to share with you is my complete infatuation with city I call home, New Orleans (aka NOLA). I am so proud of my city. It is a resilient and determined city. Sure, its residents have been kicked around by nature, corrupt politicians, dirty cops, and criminals of all types, but it’s my city. It’s what I know and love. It’s who I am.

So after spending a few days there reconnecting with my roots, I remember now why I love New Orleans so much. It’s actually pretty simple. I love New Orleans because of the:

1. Fascinating People
2. Fresh Gulf Seafood
3. Wonderful Music
4. Amazing Architecture
5. Interesting Art
6. French Quarter
7. Rich History
8. Mississippi River
9. Street Cars
10. Superdome
11. Saints
12. Beignets
13. Cafe Au Lait
14. Fleur de Lis
15. Street Performers

I could go on and on, but I won’t. I will leave some of the other wonderful things about New Orleans for you to figure out on your own. And these are in no particular order by any means. They are merely a stream of consciousness list of some of my favorite things.

There is nothing better than enjoying a freshly made muffuletta
from Central Grocery in the French Quarter along with a bag
of Zapp’s Spicy Cajun Crawtators and a creme soda.
That’s just what I did over the 4th of July weekend
and I loved every artery-clogging minute of it!

But if I had to pick my favorite thing from the list above, it would be the French Quarter, or Vieux Carre. I spent nearly two full days there this past extended weekend because I love it so much. I mean, I have been there hundreds of times. My family used to rent an apartment in the Quarter right off Decatur Street. But there is something about the French Quarter that I never get tired of. Maybe it’s the Cafe Au Lait and Beignets at Cafe du Monde. Or it might be the wonderful sights that clutter Jackson Square. Or it could be the amazing vendors at the French Market. Another possibility is the mouth-watering muffalettas at Central Grocery like the one featured in the picture above. But whatever it is, doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that New Orleans is a wonderful place. Whether you have been there before or not, it’s worth visiting. Not because the businesses need the revenue that is generated by tourism, and not because the city needs the taxes from that revenue, but because of all the reasons I mentioned here, and because you will love it... of that I am sure!

And as we say in New Orleans... Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!