DAY ONE, part four: New Orleans, LA

DAY ONE, part four: New Orleans, LA


We rolled into New Orleans as the sun was setting. I have to say it was pretty in a strange kind of way. Maybe I was just eager for some sight-seeing.

We took our exit to head to the RV park, and you could almost hear John and I deflate. We were worried about this stop. Staying in a city you don’t know is always a bit scary, but even more so when you are staying at an RV park! As John hooked up, I went to the office to pay. I was greeted by rousing “WHO DAT?” (or whatever these fans yell) choruses from the Gas n Sip next door, before a random alarm started to wail in the distance. But the man assured me the campground is safe and quiet.

We called for a cab that could hold 6, and a man named Fred arrived in his SUV. He drove us to the city and spoke mostly with John about his days in the Navy and his time travelling the country as a truck driver. He offered some advice about different routes we should take, and hints for driving in the mountains. He gave us his card and offered to pick us up when we were done eating.

We were dropped at the corner of Bourbon Street and Rue Conti, and our restaurant was just a few feet away. It was a quaint little 3-story place that served regional food. John ordered the Creole shrimp, Desirae had Creole pasta with alligator sausage, Kaylin tried the gumbo, and I had a taste of New Orleans that included red beans and rice, etouffe, and jambalaya. I even ordered a Hurricane! Delicious!

After eating we walked down Bourbon Street. The cab driver told us to “turn around when we got to the rainbow flags.” So we walked past atleast 3 Hustler Clubs, something called “Barely Legal,” scores of scantily clad women, and sex shops. Then we saw the road clear a bit, the music became quieter, and people were dressed normal…just beyond the rainbow flags. Good thing Fred warned us about that part of town. *sheesh*

We turned and walked the other way on Bourbon Street. Who new Larry Flint had so many clubs in one small location. Had the good Lord seen fit to make me an Iowa corn-fed blonde bombshell with a checkered past and a penchant for nudity, I’m certain I’d have ended up on Bourbon Street. Either that or if I were one of the smelliest drunks imaginable, ditto. But I have to give props to the one homeless dude who asked Desirae if she would like a black boyfriend to go along with her white boyfriend at home. He truly gets an A for effort. I advised her to learn the phrase “I have a raging case of Herpes” for the next encounter.

We stopped at an ATM in a parking garage. I wasn’t privy to the conversation, but John met a nicely dressed older couple. The man was 90 years old, and they were celebrating their 63rd anniversary. Amazing. And unbelievable.

We phoned for Fred and we had a nice conversation on the cab ride back to the RV park. It was almost comical getting all the clothes out and ready for tomorrow, but even John had to admit it helped having everything organized. Everyone was changed and clean in no time. Now the beds are pulled down, we are enjoying the free Wi-Fi, and watching the movie “RV” together. Desirae has posted quite a few pictures and I’m doing my best to get as many from my phone to Facebook as I can 

Reagan thanked me for choosing New Orleans as a stop. I thought about this. I saw Ava don a pimp hat. I saw Reagan staring at girls on balconies throwing beads. And I saw Kaylin take a picture of Desirae wearing beads with boobs on them. Ahhh, Nawlins…..you are magical.

Memorable quotes from the evening:

“Can I blow my nose on the back of the menu?” “HELL NO, Reagan.”

“Anything that lands in the water gets thrown away.” “Uhhhh, Dortheanne, that ain’t water.”

“John…I can see that girl’s ass” “Well move so I can see it.”

“So what’d you guys think of New Orleans.” “It was really nice even though it was nasty.”

“Atleast it was better than ‘bend-over-mania’ with her” (we’re still trying to figure this out!)