New sensations in New Orleans

There is a cartoon called “Princess and the frog” which is remarkably accurate in its animated portrayal of New Orleans. I had seen the cartoon long before my visit and already recognized certain landmarks as a result. An example is the fabled swampland of “the Bayou” located just outside the city where alligators are plentiful and have become associated with the area as a result; being either featured in most menus or décor.  Another landmark I recognised was St Louis Cathedral, pictured below.

St Louis Cathedral



New Orlean's tourist friendly central Canal St truly reminds me of Cavil Ave in Surfers Paradise (on the Gold Coast, QLD AUS) because it has the same sort of set up. Its skyscraper hotels house souvenir shops at their bases, as well as an assortment of restaurants and shopping; from the tacky and morally questionable variety to high end fashion and jewelry. 



Canal Ave

The visual similarity between the two cities stops at the waterfront because while Surfers Paradise greets a white sandy beach on the Pacific Ocean, New Orleans fronts the murky Mississippi River. It is at the foot of this river that the very old and well maintained history of New Orleans begins to show. First settled by the Spanish and later by the French, there remain tell-tale signs from both eras and cultures, in the varying one-of-a-kind architecture and in the diverse range of culinary options established along the boulevard.  An icon to the French settlement is the "French Quarter,” some four or five blocks of traditional housing in which the French made their homes true to their style of connected housing. These are still today maintained as new and lived in by the city’s locals.  

French Quarter
Photo Credit:
27kindsofcrazy.blogspot

 This party city is full of history, culinary delights, music, first rate bars and cafes intertwined with some of the weirdest people and practices you’ll encounter.  Unlike Surfers Paradise where a market stall means arts and crafts; the stalls in New Orleans attract palm readers, psychics and insane looking people who proclaim to know voodoo. Of course if the history of New Orleans is to be believed; they more than likely do know it!  But once you pass the stalls it’s back to jazz, dim lanterns and a very lively atmosphere.



Photo Credit: pipesmagazine.com

New Orleans is one of the only places in the States where you can drink on the street and almost everyone you pass is holding a beer or a custom made plastic daiquiri glass in the shape of their city’s symbol; the French fleur de lis. Bourbon St, which has long been known as party-central America hosts a variety of parties, carnivals and festivals all year long; the biggest of these is the legendary “Mardi Gras” parade; which unlike Australia, has no association with gay pride and is actually the age old celebration before the fasting of lent. We were there for the commencing of Jazz Fest which was truly an experience to behold! The largest street party I had ever attended and I can’t wait to visit again soon!



Jazz Fest

All photos published without credits were taken by me.