The Arrival

Inner Journey


We have finally made it! Seventeen hours on a train is no small feat! I feel like this is what I have been waiting for, for at about ten years. I want to see what New Orleans is all about and I am here to do it. I am happy, excited, and nervous about the adventures we are all about to have. Once we finally arrived to the big easy, we had to wait about twenty minutes to get our luggage and let our journey begin. We had a very nice Uber driver that wouldn’t turn on the sound to the GPS. She tried two times to drive down the wrong way of a one way! I wondered if this was her first time driving but I didn’t want to be disrespectful, so I didn’t ask. From the death cab, we got all of our luggage, checked-in, and went straight to our room to get cleaned up and head out to our first authentic New Orleans dinner. I was so excited to eat that it felt like we floated to the restaurant, even though we got there on foot. We arrived early from the train station making us early to get to the restaurant. Since we were early, we all had time to stroll around the city and get ourselves acquainted with our new stomping ground. The city was beautiful! It was hard to tell where I was because I was looking at all of the sights around me. The architecture is beautiful. Some of the houses are decorated with a Mardi Gras theme and some are decorated with Christmas wreaths and lights. There is an overall feel of celebration and history while walking the brick paths.







Outer Journey



We have arrived and we are eating at Pierre Masperos. The inside of the restaurant is drenched in warmth and hospitality. The walls are all exposed brick with two brick arch ways that divide the restaurant in two. There is a wall covered floor to ceiling with mirrors. We are sat at the three table that line the wall. The place is full. There is a nice volume of white noise that the subtle hum of different conversations happening all around. The lights have a yellow glow that warms the entire place. The aroma of cajun spices fill the air. The smell makes my mouth start to salivate instantly. As I look around, there are smiles and cheerfulness on the patrons faces. From the wait staff to the other visitors, there isn’t a single person looking upset or sad. This is what I have been waiting for, my first real experience with authentic New Orleans cuisine and I was not disappointed. It was buttery, it was spicy, it was just enough heat to make me want more. The whole table enjoyed the blackened gator. I then ordered the sampler of jambalaya, etouffee, and gumbo. All three were served in three separate cups on one large plate. I could hardly contain myself when they were set in front of me. The food was hot, bubbly, and delicious! This is what I have been waiting for, and it certainly did not disappoint.