The Big Easy or little India?

So I just had the most fantastic time in New Orleans, LA! Flew with a great friend of mine who's easy going, fun and willing to try new things. Love the Guse! We had such a good time! We were visiting my grade school friend Beth and her husband Chris, who had fantastic food waiting for us when we arrived at the house! Best hotel ever! Shippert-Meyers Inn and Cafe'! 5 stars. It never fails that when I'm with Beth that I laugh until my sides hurt. For two people who are complete opposites, we have a great respect for each other's opinions and belief's. We have been friends literally since the 3rd grade when she was the new girl in class and sat across from me. Fast friends indeed. I cherish her. When I'm with her I feel SO comfortable with myself and I never feel judged about who I am or how I look. You just don't find people like her all the time. I have several friends who have these qualities, but none like Bethy. She's just one of a kind and I adore her. Yay Beth!

So New Orleans! A-MAZING! Love the city, the culture, the food, the weather, the hospitality, the way they talk, the FOOD! I love that city. I don't ever want to live there, but I love visiting! My fantastic friend Krista and I walked all over the city. We rode the street car and had drinks "to go"! We found a few t-shirt shops on Bourbon St and we were in every.single.one.

We went on a tour of the St. Louis Cemetery no.1 and saw the fantastic tombs and heard a ton of history of the city. Again, fantastic! If this city actually sinks, as is what you expect it to do since it is built on a swamp, three feet below sea level, it will be the most tragic loss ever. Yes the city is dirty and old and full of bad things but it's beautiful! The culture is like nowhere else in the US. It's got such amazing architecture! Where do they build places like this in the US?

They celebrate everything! Everywhere you go there is color. Houses are multi-colored and not in bad taste like in the Mid-west. (You all know what I'm talking about!) I love love all the color!

Of course we went to the Lower 9th ward where Hurricane Katrina did the most damage. It was so hard to see it with your own eyes. Basically because it's in the United States. You want to be super sensitive to the people who lost everything they had. You don't want to walk around with your cameral hanging around your neck because this is someone's home and they lived it. It's not a tourist attraction. But hope is springing up there and one day it will be filled with homes that can withstand another flooding.

I had a great time in New Orleans! Great city!

What does India have to do with New Orleans, LA? A LOT! First of all, most of the shops on Bourbon St were owned/ran by an Indian family. It was awesome! Bourbon St reminded me the most of India because of how it's constructed. The streets are close together, there's a distinct oder in the air that most large cities have. The culture of the city is like no other! And of course, the colors! India is full of color & people. I love it. I love to just watch it all go by. India. It's so completely opposite of me and yet I have such a draw to it. The opportunitues are endless and there's always something going on. The people are warm and friendly. The food is great! What isn't there to love?

2 weeks to go before I'm in the land I love so much. So ready to go!