We LOVE the city of New Orleans! But, oh the traffic! We’ve lived in Southeast Missouri for a LONG TIME. We aren’t used to more than two -four lanes of traffic – definitely not six going in one direction! Doniphan, of course, has only one traffic light!
But, we lived in Slidell, LA for a short time in the late 1990’s and learned to love this Cajun “town.” There is not another place in the USA as much like a “foreign country” as the city of New Orleans. The people talk different, cook and oh, my, eat different, and there is a unique atmosphere there which can’t be found anywhere else. Plus, my aunt lives on the West Bank and graciously puts us up (or perhaps – puts up with us?) when the cruise bug hits us. Our last cruise was for Thanksgiving, 2017 when both grown daughters were able to go with us. We had a wonderful time – such a good time, that we came home on Saturday, and turned around and booked the next cruise two days later on “Cyber Monday.” I know – the first step is to admit that you have a cruising problem is ….. but, that’s a topic for another blog…..
So, that was FOURTEEN months ago. A lot can happen in fourteen months! Who knew that the hospital was going to close and I would lose my job? (The cruise plus excursions were already paid for! Thank goodness!) I was proud of myself that I had looked at the calendar and realized that Mardi Gras would be in full swing in the middle of January, but hey – we’ll get to eat some King Cake! That’s okay. What I didn’t notice is that Monday is Martin Luther King Day which means this is the THREE DAY WEEKEND during Mardi Gras for the year. Lots of people are off of work and they’re coming down to catch some beads at Mardi Gras! Okay! BUT. . .we NEVER DREAMED THAT THE SAINTS WOULD BE IN THE PLAY-OFFS IN THE SUPER DOME ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON with kick-off at 2:00 pm. To say that this town is “hoppin'” is an understatement, and the traffic.. oh my! That’s all I have to say about that. Now that we’ve finally made it over the bridge to my aunt’s, I have no desire to venture down in the French Quarter – I’ve been there and done that before. Who knows how long it will take to get back across the bridge to catch the boat on Sunday after church. I’m just glad that we’ll be on the boat when “the saints go marching in” and “cruising down the river” when the game is over! God Bless, Courtney