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Today we ate breakfast at the hotel, and then we went back to the French Market where we looked around some more and then ate lunch. I got lunch at Real Creole Bar-B-Shrimp Seafood Dock again, but this time I got the barbecue shrimp, which was spicy, sauteed shrimp served over a very buttery piece of bread. I also tried a sample of crawfish, which was very good as well. I really liked the spices that they cooked the crawfish in. Lastly we went to Southern Candy Makers’ where I purchased a lot of chocolate, and I got to try a sample of a praline. The praline was very sweet and delicious. I really loved the time I got to spend in NOLA. I think that the food really expressed all of the different cultures that are in NOLA, especially the French and Italian cultures. The food was all very delicious, and I loved learning about all of the history of NOLA as well as being among such friendly people and talented artists.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos of the gators since my phone had died before we made it to Insta-gator. This event wasn’t something I would have thought to plan for myself, but I was so glad to have the chance to go! It was really interesting to learn about alligators and petting one was pretty cool too. After deciding to go home earlier than I had planned Tuesday night, I tried to enjoy my last night. I ate at Maspero’s and had the veggie muffaletta I had been craving for months. On the way back, I finally had a tarot card reading in Jackson square. I had wanted to do this for awhile, so I was happy to finally have the opportunity.

New Orleans is full of electric energy, and if you’re aware of it, once you catch it, you can’t let go. The depths of exploration in this city are vast, intense, haunting. And New Orleans haunts me, a little every day, lulling and luring me in with something that sometimes I can’t quite figure out, but it is enduring. My third visit has proven that. Nothing ever goes perfectly here, (of course nothing goes perfectly anywhere) but this fact in New Orleans is in your face; every visit here has demonstrated the human condition to me in such a raw and intense way. And each time, I’ve stepped away with a new outlook, gaining just one (or more) insights that add richness and depth (and sometimes pain) to my life. But of course they say: “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” — and I would add to that — but it helps to have 9 lives in New Orleans.

On Monday, after a fun day yesterday, I didn’t know how it was going to compare. We started our day out by eating breakfast and drinking coffee at the dining room table while talking about our day before. Then on to Royal Street we went.

While walking down Royal street we saw two really great street performing bands. They were playing the classic music that you would expect to hear while in New Orleans. It was swing, but soul at the same time with a collection of instruments, banjo, guitar, and tap shoes are just a few to name off.

Then off to The French Market, which seemed to be our daily stop since there was so much to see and do there, and also, we were hungry. We stopped at The Gazebo, and I tried a half of a Muffaletta. I was a little put off by the Olives as there was so much of it on there. The sandwich didn’t have a lot of flavor that I was hoping for, but at least I can say I tried it. We then walked down the Mississippi and saw the steamboat, as well as many shipping boats coming around the bend of the Mississippi, it was so warm out, and it felt fabulous to feel the sun. On our walk down, we saw a guy playing the Bagpipes, and it was very unique. I haven’t really thought someone would play the Bagpipes in New Orleans when there is so much jazz every where. It was different.

We walked home to relax and get some water, and maybe take a nap because we were tired already. On the walk home, we petted a cat that sits in the window at a veterinary office.

That night, a group of us went to Lola’s cafe for dinner. It was so good. I got the Gazpacho and the Meat Paella. These dishes were delicious and I was more than happy to share mine with our friend Michael.

We were supposed to go swing dancing that night but we had gotten out of the restaurant so late that we couldn’t make it, which was okay cause we were able to walk down many of the famous streets and enjoy the night.

^Muffaletta^ (Sorry the picture is sideways)

^Mississippi River^

^Gazpacho^

On the first day in New Orleans, I found many examples of Spanish influence on the city. Here are a few examples of immediate findings upon arriving in the city:

The rich Catholic culture in New Orleans is spread throughout the city; Catholicism is not only seen in the churches or the St. Louis Cathedral.  Crosses and crucifixes, Mary and other saint statues, and Catholic memorabilia, such as St. Louis Cathedral mini replicas are  sold throughout the French Market and other shops in the area.  Countless restaurants, such as the French Market’s N’awlins Cafe, and homes display Mary statues in front yards or other open areas.

Waking up Sunday morning, I forgot that I was in New Orleans until I looked at my room, I had fallen asleep so hard the night before. That morning we all ate breakfast at the dining room table, and I enjoyed laughing with my classmates and talking about the night before. We also talked about the Islenos Fesitval that was going on later that day. I was more than excited to go because the weather was so nice, and we had a large group go.

Upon arrival at the festival, it was very different than I had expected. I expected to see more latin vibes to it, but it was still very awesome. I tried an alligator sausage and tres leches cake, which were both very good. After that, we walked around and were asked to join a group in a traditional friendship dance, and I could not refuse because I love to dance. So off we went to do a friendship dance, and it was kind of weird, but at least I tried! We walked to the front and a band was playing some really good music, so Nikki, Lauriane, Nick, and I all went and danced. It was a really good time. After that, we went on a tour with the head of the organization and learned about the Islanders that were there forever ago. After the tour, we headed home.

On the way home, we stopped and got Snowballs, which were my version of a glorified sno-cone, I got a strawberry cheesecake flavored one. It was pretty good. We drove through the ninth ward, which was one of the areas that was hit the hardest by Hurricane Katrina, and we saw the houses that Brad Pitt had built there. I honestly do not think they fit in with the area, and should have probably been rethought about how they looked.

When we got home, my roommate, Nikki, noticed I was burnt pretty bad. I got myself some sunday sunburn.

^Alligator Sausage^

^Strawberry Cheesecake Snowball^

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.

The Ogden: Art The Southern Way

The Website: http://www.ogdenmuseum.org/

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is full of a variety of art styles, from a range of periods. The museum is relatively cheap as far as admission prices are concerned. Admission is ten dollars, but for students the admission is eight dollars. There are four floors of art, and you can get through the museum in about forty minutes to an hour if you take your time. I do suggest taking the time to visit The Ogden.

If you like art, I suggest you take the time to also visit The New Orleans Museum of Art as well. This museum includes a large variety of art from artists around the world. When I was here in December I was able to see the work of some of the all-time greatest artists, in Picasso and Monet. Currently the New Orleans Museum of Art has a Civil War exhibit. I plan to visit the museum again before I return. I am a big fan of art, and the art museums of New Orleans have helped me to experience many different artists – from contemporary, to all-time great, American, foreign, and more. There is something for everyone.