Good times in N'awlins

Just emerged from five days of luxury in the beautiful Southern city of New Orleans. The highlight of my stay was probably where I stayed - a gorgeous old American mansion in the historic Garden District with stained glass windows and a wide verandah (pronounced 'porch' in the US).

A street in the Garden District

Apart from the peace and tranquility of Sully Mansion, New Orleans was an assault on the senses. At a certain time in the late afternoon, five or six piece bands would begin to play in the bars and clubs of the French Quarter. Out in the street you could feel the sound. I spent alot of time listening to local recordings in the Lousiana Music Factory and carefully negotiating my way around the second-hand bookshops - Arcadia was my favourite.

Arcadia Bookshop

I also spent a considerable amount of time eating - po'boys from Parasols (roast beef, dill pickle, salad and sauces in a toasted french stick half as long as my arm), muffulettas (sundried tomatoes, pickles, cured meats and olive oil in a focaccia roll, served at a bar in a grocery-store), crawfish chowder (semi-spiritual experience) and two or three beignets (square doughnuts) served with coffee-by-the-pint. Everyday on my way into town I passed a billboard with a picture of a middle-aged guy clutching his chest and the caption 'Is it love...or is it a heart attack? Call 911 and be safe'.

I loved taking the streetcar into town and just listening - to the driver saying over and over 'step-on, step-up if you gonna ride the stree-car, step-on, step-up....', to the schoolkids rapping in time with the put-put-put, screeech, put-put-put and to the deep uh-huhs that seemed to float around in every conversation. I loved the courtesy of people who would get out of the streetcar to help the old and frail get on, saying 'C'mon baby, get up now'.

Jackson Square, Historic French Quarter

But I should stop rambling on...it's my first day in New York and it's time to hit the pavements.

Live oak, in green and leafy city park

Sculpture Garden, City Park

Sully Mansion