Slewfoot!
New Orleans- BEADS!
Bourbon St!!!
Po-Boys
New Orleans- Christo's intersection
I could feel the humidity as soon as I stepped off the train in New Orleans. The devastation from Katrina could still be seen as I took a cab to my friend Christo's house; front doors still marked from post-flood inspections. Before Chirsto returned from JazzFest I explored his neighborhood and enjoyed some fried chicken and mash potatoes for dinner. The next day, I had breakfast at Cafe du Ponte- those little powdered doughnuts are delicious! Then I checked out Bourbon street and walked much of the French Quarter. Later, I took the trolley down to to the Garden District and window shopped along Magazine St. I met a few girls from a college in Virginia that were in New Orleans for JazzFest and we ventured into a couple funky little stores. We jammed in a hole in the wall music shop, checked out a local artist's pottery business, and then tried on some outfits at a vintage clothing store. After the girls left to meet there professor, I met Slewfoot, a man playing his guitar and harmonica on the banks of the Mississippi river. I gave him some change and listened for a while. Between songs, he would light a cigarette and tell stories of his 39 years in New Orleans. He told me that this was his favorite place, right on the river, where families walked by and kids would dance to his music. Sure enough, a man and his granddaughter came by and started dancing and singing. Even through the wrinkles, I could see the performers's face light up. He inspired me to appreciate the good things (however little), as well as not sweat the bad (the weird looks and harsh comments he often received from passer-bys). Although he didn't have many, he gave me one of his CD's for free because he enjoyed our conversation. Later, I met up with Christo and his friends and the four of us got po-boy sandwiches- soooooo good and filling! I checked out the famous New Orleans night-life and felt right at home in the energetic, wild ambiance. I made it to the train station in the morning with plenty of time to spare and relaxed and did some quick meditation as I waited for the train to arrive...
I could feel the humidity as soon as I stepped off the train in New Orleans. The devastation from Katrina could still be seen as I took a cab to my friend Christo's house; front doors still marked from post-flood inspections. Before Chirsto returned from JazzFest I explored his neighborhood and enjoyed some fried chicken and mash potatoes for dinner. The next day, I had breakfast at Cafe du Ponte- those little powdered doughnuts are delicious! Then I checked out Bourbon street and walked much of the French Quarter. Later, I took the trolley down to to the Garden District and window shopped along Magazine St. I met a few girls from a college in Virginia that were in New Orleans for JazzFest and we ventured into a couple funky little stores. We jammed in a hole in the wall music shop, checked out a local artist's pottery business, and then tried on some outfits at a vintage clothing store. After the girls left to meet there professor, I met Slewfoot, a man playing his guitar and harmonica on the banks of the Mississippi river. I gave him some change and listened for a while. Between songs, he would light a cigarette and tell stories of his 39 years in New Orleans. He told me that this was his favorite place, right on the river, where families walked by and kids would dance to his music. Sure enough, a man and his granddaughter came by and started dancing and singing. Even through the wrinkles, I could see the performers's face light up. He inspired me to appreciate the good things (however little), as well as not sweat the bad (the weird looks and harsh comments he often received from passer-bys). Although he didn't have many, he gave me one of his CD's for free because he enjoyed our conversation. Later, I met up with Christo and his friends and the four of us got po-boy sandwiches- soooooo good and filling! I checked out the famous New Orleans night-life and felt right at home in the energetic, wild ambiance. I made it to the train station in the morning with plenty of time to spare and relaxed and did some quick meditation as I waited for the train to arrive...
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