Arrival (Outer Journey)

Miles of marshes and swamps was the indicator this morning that we passed the Louisiana state line. The anticipation on the train was building the closer we got to the city skyline/closer to downtown with everyone around me taking pictures to remember the scenery. Once we had our bags we went outside to try and hail a cab or get an Uber vehicle to take us to our hotel. Hailing a taxi down here in New Orleans at the train station was different compared to what I am use to. For all of my experiences I am use to going to the first one available and jumping in. Down here in New Orleans you go to the front of the line to the cab open that would fit your needs. After we checked into our hotel and freshened up we walked to Canal Street to catch the trolley. The walk initially seemed ordinary but the closer you got to the French Quarter it seemed like the city came alive! Lights were on everywhere, trolley cars were moving up and down the street, and the sidewalks were crowded with other tourists/residents. You could start to smell the various restaurants which smelled amazing and added to my hunger. The restaurant we ate at, Pierre Maspero’s, gave a history element to the city and had an antique vibe as soon as you walked to the corner. The inside radiated Cajun spices, had dim lighting, and was filled with talk of what to order. As we were inside it seemed like the sky opened up and poured! Rain was running off balconies/ awnings but that did not disrupt the life in the French Quarter. People were jumping around and through water puddles going to hear jazz, sing in karaoke bars. It was almost that nothing was going to stand in the way of life carrying on which gave tribute to the spirit down here in New Orleans!