Today epitomised what a holiday to New Orleans should be about, just following your ears, sitting back in the sunshine and relaxing to the sound of a traditional jazz band. We started with a trip across the Mighty Mississippi on a ferry which is much bigger and better than the Gosport Ferry but also much cheaper. In fact it’s free. Once over the other side, in Algiers, we had a lovely view back across the water to the skyline of N’Awlins. We went for a short amble around Algiers and had a good gawp at the picturesque villagey streets and lovely little houses. I also saw the only front garden I am ever likely to see that contained a pet cat, dog and turkey.
Once back across in the big city we made our way into the French Quarter and into Jackson Square to see the cathedral and to generally soak up the atmosphere. It was a lovely sunny day, somewhat of a contrast to the dampness of yesterday. We sat back in the sunshine to listen to a jazz trio knock out a few numbers while we watched the world go by. We then heard that the Grammy-Award-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra were holding an open rehearsal so we headed on over to their theatre to see a free sneak peek of the show they would be charging people lots of money to see later that night. Not a bad way to spend Valentine’s Day afternoon.
Feeling very relaxed, we managed to do a little more people-watching around Jackson Square, including a few more of the street performers, with a couple of guys doing all sorts of impressive balancing acts on the steps and railings around the Square.
I also found my dream place to work; a bookshop with shelves lining the shop from floor to ceiling and with a resident cat snoozing gently on the counter. I wouldn’t even need paying to work there, as long as the cat was there for me to stroke all day while I read the books.
All in all, a busy day of doing nothing and taking it easy. Just how it should be in this city.
statesidewife 