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LAX-DFW-MSY and back-The good, the bad, the ugly!
Caution this is a long trip report, so you might want to grab a beverage and a bag of pretzels before you begin.
BTW, I divided the report into sections, if you're only interested in our time in New Orleans you can skip the appetizer and get right to the gumbo. Enjoy!
Pre-flight
Traveling are 2 D2's and 6 D3's. (waiting for laughter to die down) Trust me I talked to this group like Gen. Patton marshalling his troops. I painted so dark a picture that each person not only packed both summer and winter clothes, but also carried routing and hotel info for 3 alternate cities and were instructed to give employers open-ended dates for their return. However, you know and I know first time D3's are by nature a verrrry optimistic bunch (the poor dears) and the notion that they could end up spending their holiday in Chicago and not New Orleans seemed about as likely as the Cubs ever winning the World Series. At any rate we arrived at LAX two hours early. (Well, most of us anyway) LAX has the new TSA. As usual I was selected for the additional wanding and shoe search. Security was quick, polite and thorough, no problems. Bought an 85 cents Snickers bar, (I know) and relaxed. Hopes high.
LAX-DFW-MSY (the journey begins)
My seat is 27E; I pass open seats on my way back so there is hope for my troops. They all make it. Now do I even have to tell you what happened at DFW? Even with all my meticulous planning I still lost three (salute rendered).
Arrive in New Orleans to the music of Louis Armstrong (played throughout MSY), 100% humidity and scattered thundershowers. My missing trio finally arrive a few hours later. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
NOLA
"Don't you just love those rainy afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn't just an hour-but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands?"
-A Streetcar Named Desire-Tennessee Williams
New Orleans is a city of mystery, majesty, decay, great music, incredible food, aboveground cemeteries, loads of potholes and streets with names only natives can pronounce. Anybody want to take a crack at these winners? Tchoupitoulas, Dorgenois, Colapissa [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] You guys are worse than me. Coyne, forget it! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Me, I like the food and the music. Some of my favorites:
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Ralph & Kacoo's (2 locations, I go to the one in the French Quarter) I like everything here, right down to the hush puppy appetizers. Favorites, the gumbo and the etouffee. It also has an excellent oyster bar. BTW, the French Quarter restaurant has several themed dining rooms, including one filled with Carnival costumes.
Dooky Chase's (mid-city) Locals eat here.
Cafe Du Monde (French Quarter) for coffee and beignets.
Southern Candymakers (Jefferson St in the French Quarter) for pralines. Trust me, boxed pralines don't have the same rush [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img][/list]
Things To Do
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French Quarter, of course. Stop in one of the many clubs and listen to the music.
Garden District- Catch the St Charles Ave streetcar get off at Third St and ease on down the road. Soak up some of the atmosphere that inspired such writers as Tennessee Williams and Anne Rice.
Aquarium of the Americas
National D-day Museum- the staff recommends at least 3 hours to visit the museum.
San Francisco Plantation (outside the city) restored mid-nineteenth century plantation house.
I also suggest a stroll through one of New Orleans aboveground cemeteries. St Louis Cemetery #1 is a good place to explore. However, go in a group and DON"T go at night, robbers, not ghosts. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]
Personally I'm not one for the river cruises. First I don't like boats; all that rocking and rolling and you're still tied to the dock. Beyond that, on a short visit a boat cruise takes up quite a bit of your time, your view is rather 'limited' and the food is nothing to write home about. All in all, I say, skip the cruise.[/list]
MSY-DFW-LAX (the return)
Security slow-30 minutes at least
I separated my troops into two groups. One group was assigned the more open MSY-STL-ONT route, the other (my group) the tricky MSY-DFW-LAX route. Unfortunately there was a problem with the flight to STL, hydraulic problem, a 4 hour delay. By the time my D3's arrived in St Louis all connections were long gone. However they were prepared and spend the night in St. Louis. BTW, to help pass the time, the gate agents held a very enjoyable "karaoke night." Gave out first class upgrades to those who tried their hand; one of my D3's is a natural comedian, first class all the way. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
The rest of us made the flight to DFW (I know, I was shocked too) Our flight was delayed because of thunderstorms in DFW, ground hold. Now I have to take a moment to tell you about my seatmates on this leg. I was in 27E (again), a sumo wrestling tag team with a tray table fetish occupied 27D & F. Due to the delay, the in flight snack service is started on the ground. My seatmates produce shrimp po'boys to go along with their pretzels and beverage. (growing boys) I offer my tray table for use as an additional eating space, they offer to share their po'boys (they had four) three happy campers. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
In Dallas I lost all my D3's. They ended up spending the night there. The D2's make it all the way home. However due to a complete lack of judgment on my part, I gave my "NOLA take home kit" to one of my Dallas D3's; my pralines never made it out the airport. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]
Keep'em flying
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[This message was edited by Migflanker on November 01, 2002 at 03:29 PM.]
[This message was edited by Migflanker on November 01, 2002 at 03:32 PM.]
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LOL
Loved the report. Next time you visit MSY let me know. I would love to drive over for lunch.
Thanks for posting an entertaining read!
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For New Orleans and those who love her
I liked it all from the first; I lingered long in that morning walk, liking it more and more...unable to say then or ever since wherein its charm lies.
--C. Warner writing about New Orleans -1887
I love New Orleans and have visited her many times, there is no place like it in the world. I have so many memories of New Orleans a few of my favorites
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The smell of chicory coffee and hot beignets at Cafe du Monde.
Being "forced" to join the Southern Comfort bar tour in the Quarter. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
Roaming the Quarter eating pralines and stumbling upon the Tennessee Williams festival's Stanley & Stella Shouting Contest...STELLA!
Standing alone on the dock yelling "Bon Voyage" as family and friends sail off on the Delta Queen.[/list]
"...New Orleans... a courtesan whose hold is strong upon the mature, to whose charm the young must respond.."
--William Faulker
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Gator on a stick at Riverwalk.
Catfish with lemon thyme pecan butter with a side of roasted mashed Opelousas sweet potatoes at Commander's Palace.
Red beans & rice at Dooky Chase's and the oyster bar at Ralph and Kacoo's.
Jazz at Snug Harbor, the shops on Royal and General Jackson in the park.[/list]
The city of New Orleans will be rebuilt, the people will come back and so will I.
--I wrote the above trip report a few years ago and bumped it up as a tribute to the people and city of New Orleans.
The photo was taken at a New Orleans cemetery 18 months ago
Keep'em flying
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The north Gulf coast, where Hurricanes love to play. My spouse is mourning the loss in Biloxi and Gulfport. When we lived in PNS it was our weekend get-away, where I enjoyed the historic homes and art communities, and he enjoyed the casino poker rooms.
I am proud of all the airlines stepping up and assisting. I would like to say a special thank you to AA who flew as many US employees and their families who wished to evacuate out to DFW on the Tuesday after the storm. I hear the AA still has not contacted all their MSY employees. Know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
