Wednesday, March 7, 2012
I got to Roswell just about dark, but we couldn’t leave until Frank got off work at 9. Once he was home and everything was packed, we got underway about 11:30. We made it a couple of miles and had to get gas. Underway again, a couple more miles and we stopped at a bank so I could get money. However, that bank’s ATM could not process my request, so we went to another bank. Same problem!!!! Bummer. So we decided I didn’t really need any money and started on the way. I called the bank and for some reason that they couldn’t identify, there was a block on my card – they removed it but I still don’t know what caused it. Twelve hours later and I still don’t have any money.
We used Frank’s phone as a GPS and it worked great. He drove from Roswell all the way past Mobile. Rachel slept some but was awake most of the time. I stretched out in the back seat, with my seat belt on, and slept more of the time except when we hit a rough stretch of road. It seemed like I didn’t sleep much, but I think I did. When we needed more gas, Frank let me drive so he could sleep a while. I drove for about two hours while the sun came up and we made it to our hotel in New Orleans. The traffic got heavy at one point and the roads got quite rough, especially just after the bridge over the Pontchartrain Lake when Rachel was actually bouncing in the back seat because of the wavy road. The GPS led us right to our hotel in the French Quarter and I was very glad to have its guidance. The Hotel Provincial is located in a maze of one way streets that would have been very confusing.
We arrived at about 6 a.m. Central time and there is not much open at that time. Since we could not yet get into our rooms until later, we walked to the river and discussed what to do. There was a very cool wind coming off the Mississippi so we didn’t sit there too long. There were a lot of people out running along the river but we decided to leave the riverside. We wandered around the streets of the French Quarter and saw all kinds of shops and site. We almost got wet by the street shampooer machine and the trash trucks were very busy. We saw several catering trucks setting up for breakfast for something. None of the shops or cafes were open, but we got a good idea of their locations. We saw Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral from all sides. There were few tourists around and that was nice. We saw lots and lots of dogs, most being walked by their owners. One dog was on a balcony facing Jackson Square and kept running into the house through a very tall window and them coming back out to bark at people.
After lots of looking around the French Quarter we made reservations for a Gray Line Super City Tour and had about a half hour to get breakfast. We went to the French Market and had ham and toast or bacon and biscuits. The gravy looked really strange – lots of ‘stuff’ floating in it, but Frank and Rachel said it tasted good. We got to the Gray Line bus with a little time to spare and decided we may be the youngest people there for the 9:00 tour. We took the front seats and began the tour with Mike the Driver. He spent two hours driving and talking, telling us all about the current and historical aspects of New Orleans. I learned a lot and enjoyed the tour very much. I even got in a couple of short naps until Frank would wake me up!! I enjoyed the City of the Dead, a cemetery, and it really looked like a city with all the buildings. Mike the Driver gave us so many facts that I don’t remember anything – info overload for sure. It was a good way to see the city.
After the bus tour was over, we called the hotel and found that one of the rooms was available so we went back there. We actually sort of know our way around this area now. There sure were LOTS more tourists out and about at 11:00 but we made it back to the hotel fairly quickly. They upgraded the second room since it was ready and we got our luggage out of the car and went to our rooms. I got the suite with a living room and a bedroom but I had to walk up a flight of steps. Frank and Rachel got the smaller room, but they have an elevator. It’s a pretty even trade off.
Phase 2
I went over to their room to discuss what we were going to do and found out that they have a built in jazz band next to their room!! They are not totally thrilled with it and I expect it will continue playing into late tonight. The cold natured person, ME, has a really cold room and they, the hot natured people, have a really warm room. Strange how that worked out!!
After considering lots of options, we went to Central Supermarket and got a muffaleto, which they supposedly developed, and then went to Café duMonde and got café au lait and Beignets to go. We went to the top of some steps where we could see the river (and get ‘slightly’ windblown and ate the muffaleto and then went to more steps that did not have the wind to eat the Beignets. They were delicious, delicious, delicious. The muffaleto was a pretty good sandwich but not the best I’ve ever had, but the Beignets were wonderful.
Then we walked up the river and I decided I just had to ride a street car, so I got on it going the wrong way and got an extra long ride out of it. The driver was really funny and he knew it, but it was full of information and had a definite Nahlins’ accent. I finally got to the French Market, met up with Frank and Rachel, who had walked there and we headed back to the hotel, again. Now we are resting again and considering where to go for supper. There is a possibility that I will skip supper and just go for sleep. Then again, I’d hate to miss anything.
I have come to a conclusion about me and New Orleans. I’ve always wanted to come here and I am very glad I did. However, I feel like I have experienced about all I want to of New Orleans. I’ve really enjoyed it, but I think I’ve seen about all I want to see. I think we may leave NOLA after breakfast in the morning and head to the Tabasco factory where Frank plans to buy two GALLONS of the stuff. I hope the car does not self-destruct from containing all that combustible liquid!!! That’s the plan for now, but it could certainly change. Then we'll head for Houston, Texas.
Phase 3
It’s been several hours since we returned to our rooms and we’ve decided to stay in the rest of the evening. We haven’t spoken but I know they must be as tired as I am and I kept falling asleep watching television. I’m going to bed. It’s been a great day but I think 36 hours is a long enough day for me.
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