THE FRENCH QUARTERS OF NEW ORLEANS

A few weeks ago my husband and I sat off on a combined trip to see family and friends and do some sight-seeing also. My extended family was first on the route and after that it was sorta my husband's trip. (That's what I told him, anyway.) I basically left it up to him to plan the trip after we left my extended family in Southeast Arkansas and Northeast Louisiana. I must admit this was a new experience for me. While he has input when we generally travel, I probably do most of the planning (what we are going to see and do once we get there). I usually make the plane reservations if we are flying and also the accommodations. He does make the rental car arrangements. The one time I did reserve a car, we ended up cancelling it and he got us cheaper rates. Since this was a road trip and I drove some, I generally was the navigator. We settled into those "roles" when we first got married and I think he likes it that way.

After spending the first few days with my extended family, we headed to New Orleans to visit with his cousin and wife, Jim and Alice. It has probably been at least 10 years since we last saw them. Then they were living in Orlando. Now they are in NOLA though. The last time we were there was several years ago when we took a cruise out of there. Jim is retired but Alice is the Director of Religious Education at the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Since she is over all of the Catholic schools in the area, she really knows her way around. She made our plans for the days we went downtown and what a fun day it was. 

I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took.

Here comes our street car/trolley.

I love the architecture of New Orleans and took several pictures of different buildings.

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Could still see some evidence of  Mardi Gras

Lots of things going on at Jackson Square...

Can't pass up taking pictures of pretty flowers....

One last picture of the busy-ness of Jackson Square.

Across the street from Jackson Square, is the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France. It is one of the oldest churches in the country. You can read about it and its history (plus see more pictures) HERE.

Everyone going to NOLA must partake of Cafe du Monde's beignets ("ben-yays"). It was on Alice's list of stops but the line was soooooo long, we would probably still be in it today. At the awning, the line turns and runs down the end of the building and then turns left and runs down the side of the building sorta on the inside the length of the building. Most of the building is seating.

(We did partake at one of their other locations in the area the next day. They were so good. They were our lunch. You get three in an order. After the four of us finished, their was one left. Well, only for a short time. Right after I took the picture, my husband decided he would eat it. We bought a box mix that I plan to make. Also bought a cookbook with a recipe in it that I plan to try and will share with you.)

At the entrance to the French Market...

This was fun to see. While we were in Jackson Square, we saw two different wedding parties wondering around to take pictures. Later we met one of them after the ceremony parading down the street followed by a band. Even the wedding guests were included. Alice said it is called a "Second Line" and is very popular in New Orleans.

We didn't eat here, but this is the Famous Historical Restaurant, The Court of Two Sisters. You can read more about it HERE.

There was so much more I could have photographed, but then this would have been a really lllllooooonnnnnnggggg post.  Not wanting to "wear out the welcome mat", after three days it was time to head to Texas and our next stop. (But that is for another post.)

Until next time....