New Orleans—May
2011:
Putting My Feet Up in New Orleans
WHERE ELSE BUT NEW ORLEANS?
It is hard to wrap up New Orleans. My introduction was far
to brief. And I altogether forgot to mention New Orleans' original music,
jazz. Next time, okay? There is also the beignet, that funny little New
Orleans donut served at Cafe du Monde with mounds of powdered sugar that have
to be shaken off before eating, leaving Cafe du Monde covered in the stuff.
Why the hell do they do that? I also forgot to mention red beans and rice
and the way Louis Armstrong signed his letters:
Red Beans And Ricely
Yours,
Louis
I probably forgot a whole lot of things. But I can
take them up later, when I go back. It won't be long.
I had a
Canadian-Polish roommate at AAE Bourbon Street Hostel. We complained about a
number of things in New Orleans: the cracked sidewalks, the street corners
without signs, the heat, the humidity, the mosquitos, the frustration of
being near the river but not being able to see the damned thing ... But we
both agreed that New Orleans—Nola, if you will—grows on you. Where else can
you put your feet up, drink cold beer by an air conditioner, eat a PoBoy, and complain
about everything under the sun without getting poked in the eye with a
stick?