A day in the Big Easy, March 1, 2016

 We started the day very well with a hearty breakfast at our bed and breakfast with good conversations with fellow travelers. A couple from Newcastle, England are perhaps more well traveled than us. They gave us some pointers about travel in Russia and eastern Europe.
  The area we are in is the Faubourg Marigny. It was first laid out by a Creole developer and politician Bernard de Marigny on land that had been his family's plantation. In the early 19th century, white Creole "gentlemen" set up households for their mistresses of color. The area declined in the mid-20th century but came back later in the century. Frenchmen Street became one of the city's best venues for live music (and where we went last night at the Three Muses). It is considered one of the city's most colorful neighborhoods with a unique architectural style. We really like walking around it and staring at the many colorful narrow houses with high ceilings. The room we are staying in has ceilings about 15 feet high. Hurricane Katrina did not damage this section as much as other areas of the city because of its higher elevation.

Mardi Gras costume in hallway at Auld Sweet Olive

Living Room at Auld Sweet Olive

Mark starting his breakfast

Then, we walked to the nearest bus stop where we got all-day passes for $3.00 each. We strolled through the French Market and bought 2 pairs of earrings. Then, we went to the Old Mint Building and went through the National Park Jazz Museum which takes up part of the building. The best exhibit was probably the one to Louis Armstrong.

Louis Armstrong learned to play the cornet at the Waif's Home

After that we strolled for lunch to Johnny's Po-Boy where Mark had a beef Po-boy (glorified sandwich) and I had a salad. We strolled down Bourbon Street (not impressive, quite dingy) and Chartres Street. We heard some good street musicians, too. Then, we walked back to the waterfront and took a trolley back and forth before walking back to our Bed And Breakfast. We had walked 4 miles by then, quite a lot for Mark with his new knee only being 4 months old. We concluded that we really had not needed the bus pass. It is nice to be in a place without a TV as it 12 states are voting today in the primaries and the news coverage has been overwhelming.

Mississippi River, about 75 degrees, so great day to stroll

Street Musicians and dancers

Beautiful street scene

For dinner we headed to Elizabeth's which was highly recommended by our Bed and Breakfast owner as well as a couple staying here. When we parked we realized we were by a park, so we headed over to take a look knowing it would give us a glimpse of the river. Crescent Park is accessed by going over a large arch. And, at the top, there is a great view of the river and the city.

View from Crescent Park looking at the city

Another view from Crescent Park

Elizabeth's is worth driving to. It is very unpretentious from the outside, but...oh, the food! A very creative menu. We both started with seafood gumbo. Mark had crabcake and avocado salad which was delicious. Barbara had seared tuna salad which was also delicious. We wanted to sample a dessert, but were way too full. This is a place we will stop next time we visit New Orleans.

On the left: crab and avocado salad. On the right: tuna salad

Elizabeth's from the outside: Do not judge a book by its cover!