Whoever visits NOLA, the French influence is everywhere and very visible. This is mainly because there is the French Quarter, the famous beignets (which by the way, are delicious), and the French market. Little do they know, that everything that is now French used to be all Spanish. The Spanish influence in New Orleans is undeniable. For example, we have the Spanish Plaza. The “Plaza de España” located by the Riverwalk Marketplace, stands as a constant reminder of the Spanish Heritage that still exists today in New Orleans. I learned later that the Spanish Plaza was built in honor of the man who was the engineer from Spain that improved the navigability of the Mississippi River.
I absolutely loved every second spent in the French Quarter. The night-life, which lasted all night as if it was never-ending, reminded me so much of Madrid’s night life. Bourbon Street was almost unrecognizable in day light. However, the street performers brought life into the quiet streets, making any tourist stop to listen to the playful melodies that represented NOLA’s history. Walking those narrow streets, and seeing all kinds of people. The “Medley of Cultures” was obvious in almost every aspect of New Orleans. I loved every culture I got to experience during my stay there, not only my Spanish culture, but the other ones native to New Orleans.