Day 1
It seems like a long time since our last “Adventure”….but finally we are off. The flight was uneventful (which is a good thing). We are staying at the Drury Inn, just outside the French Quarter, in the Business District. The recently renovated room includes a decent sized sitting area with mini fridge and microwave, large bathroom area, and a bedroom with a king bed (good sized room for a week’s stay; and the Drury includes a hot breakfast which is adequate and daily complimentary drinks and light food at 5:30 (limited drink selections; so okay if around, but won’t alter our schedule to partake…).
Once the trip to NOLA and surrounding area was booked, I again turned to Trip Advisor for recommendations. While weeding through various posts I came across numerous posts referring to The Flok – a group that annually converges on the city of New Orleans and invites anyone to join in their festivities. They sounded fun and offered some unique opportunities, so we became part of the Flok (BTW- the name Flok came about because the organizer misspelled “folk” in an email). We didn’t arrive in time for the lunch at Café Reconcile (a New Orleans restaurant that supports “at risk” kids by giving them jobs and training them in the food industry), but we supported the over $2300 donation raised through a raffle by Flok members. We did meet some of the group later in the afternoon on the (reserved for the Flok) balcony of The American Sports Saloon.
Day 2
After a restful night’s sleep and a slow start to the day (we are on holidays, you know), we headed down to the waterfront (Mississippi River) to walk along the river front.
The Holocaust Memorial is a visual prayer in memory of the millions of Jews killed from 1933-1945. As you walk around the sculpture the view changes multiple times.
Aboard the Natchez Steam Boat a lone organist plays for the crowds gathered on the walkway, some waiting for the upcoming departure, some just enjoying the sounds.
Jackson Square is named in honour of Andrew Jackson who led the resistance against the British attempt to capture New Orleans in 1812.
You can’t miss St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. One of the oldest cathedrals in the United States, it began as a church in 1718, and as a cathedral, was rebuilt and expanded in 1850.
Tidbits – Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in 1987. Present membership is over 6000.
Walking along the riverfront in the late morning sun calls for a “refreshment” break.
We met up with the Flok at Muriel’s for lunch. We started with drinks and appetizers on the balcony (again reserved for the Flok).
Over 50 of us then moved to the Séance Room for lunch where drinks continued to flow, old friendships were rekindled, and new friendships forged.
Todd began with Seafood Gumbo and I (stepping out of my comfort zone) had the Turtle soup. I have to admit, it was quite tasty.
For our Mains, Todd chose the Stuffed Mirliton (a shrimp and Andouille stuffed pepper with roasted Creole tomato sauce), and I opted for the Grilled Pork Loin with red beans, rice, and corn bread. Both of us truly enjoyed our choices.
We met up with the Flok in the early evening and cabbed it to Rock ‘n Bowl. Rock ‘n Bowl is a unique combination of a bowling alley and music venue.
As we bowled, the band played, people danced, and the fun continued.
Todd “rocked” at the bowling alley, doubling and tripling my score (where were those gutter protectors??).
