Au Revoir New Orleans

Inner Journey



With today being my last day in the Crescent City I have mixed feelings. I will mostly miss the food and the kind people that live here. I thoroughly enjoyed the food that is offered. Before coming to the city, I had highly anticipated the culinary experience that NOLA offers. It did not disappoint me whatsoever. Going on the culinary tour was a perfect way to taste a lot of the cuisine that New Orleans is known for. I was able to experience the staples like etouffee, gumbo and jambalaya. My favorite dish was not featured on the tour and it was the char-broiled oysters. The Corner is where I had them with full intent of only eating a half dozen. That did not last because as soon as I tried it, I ordered another half dozen. I am a huge fan of oysters Rockefeller and I was hesitant to try to the char-broiled thinking that it would not be as good, and I was very wrong. Not only did I order another half dozen, but I also went back the next night and bought another dozen. The flavor was amazing, and the oysters were hot, soft, smooth, and dripping in garlic butter. The restaurant was nice and small. It was right on the corner to Jackson Square, so it was a perfect spot to stop and people watch as well. The bartender was kind and the manager was even nicer. Both of them recognized me the next day when I had to indulge myself again. I also had a great surprise while eating my second helping of char-broiled oysters, in the form of a rat. As I was on my last two oysters, the rodent showed up and hopped on a box and the climbed up some cords then disappeared. I quickly hard swallowed my last two and promptly left.












Outer Journey



The whole trip through New Orleans has been such a blast. The history, food and culture the city offers are one of a kind. Hearing about the bravery of Joan of Arc, seeing the compassion and kindness of Henriette Delille, tasting everything from sweet, soft beignets to savory, succulent oysters, the city will forever be imprinted in my mind. Warmth and kindness radiated from the locals. The city truly is a mixing pot of culture that comes from all over the world. In one city block men from Germany, Sweden, and different states in the US can be found. Walking through the city is exhausting and exhilarating. The raw talent of street musicians mixed with the Spanish style houses really make the history and rumors of the city come to life. The varying degrees of sound from the bands and artists carry the melody and beats into the ears of each of the passerby’s. There were some things that were unbecoming, such as homeless people begging for change or sleeping on the park benches, rats, and the smell of urine every so often. Although these things are the "ugly" part of the city, they are the truths of the city. New Orleans is home to a large amount of diversity that balances between traditions and technology. Smart phones capturing images of young and old faces in front of century old buildings and long-standing statues epitomizes the different stages of life. Walking down the poorly repaired sidewalks, under the glow of lit gas lanterns, the city sings.