On the road again! Coming to you from Interstate 65 East to your computer screens. Currently we are on our way to Montgomery, Alabama where we will stop off for a bit before continuing on to Atlanta. We already drove through Mobile and took a few snapshots of the local area. In between New Orleans and Atlanta we aren't going to spend much time in Alabama, but so far its been a bit hectic, as we have only been in the state for an hour or so and the driving has been pretty bad. Nothing to worry about, but many questionable choices by some drivers who like to play it close.
Let me fill you in on the rest of New Orleans. We last left you in the beginning of our second day in NOLA. With the sun blazing against our bodies, an escape from such harsh weather was improbable. The trolley provided some wind, but not enough to chase the humidity. Arriving back on Bourbon it looked like the aftermath of a battle. There were still weary souls, or early travelers walking around, but the amount of debris on the streets showed how good of a time people had the night before.
Walking towards the cafe we had seen the night earlier with beignets, we were disappointed to find a giant line already forming at 8:30. Simply agreeing we would try again later tonight, we headed towards the French Market. Wandering through this open farmers market, the food we sampled was amazing. The variety of Pralines, mini pecan and sweet potato pies, and shoe soul pastries was enough sugar to start that morning jumping. Through the stalls we walked looking here and there at all the nefarious tourist trinkets, junk, and souvenirs. Nothing really caught our eye but to see the many items sold or offered was a great experience.
At the head of the market we saw a building that advertised the Louisiana Historical State Museum. Naturally willing to learn all we could about the state and it's history we decided to pay the charge. It was cool to think that the museum was located within the old Louisiana Mint, what we were not told however was that this museum was not exactly what we had hoped for. It was specifically devoted to the the Mint, a branch of the larger state history museums. Now I won't say it was a waste of time and money, but after looking from one coin to another it wasn't exactly enthralling. The mini skin color exhibit wasn't even that big of a deal. We should have known after the receptionist looked like we were crazy for a pair of kids wanting to see the museum of money.
Exiting the museum we decided to head towards the downtown business district. With the French Quarter behind us we popped into the JAX brewery shopping center. The A/c was welcomed, but there wasn't a whole lot there for us, or at least we didn't care to look. Built as a tourist mall, we ended up sitting down and making plans for the rest of the day. Close to the river, the idea was to take the ferry across the river and check out Algiers. The ferry was fun enough, but as soon as we got to the other side we realized there wasn't a whole lot to do. More of a local area, there weren't really any attractions or things that caught our attention. We just bummed around a bit, and took a seat on the sidewalk. Nearly 15 minutes later we got back on the ferry and headed back to NO.
From the port we walked along more streets to catch a view of them during the day. Jackson Square was beautiful, with a large statue of Andrew Jackson in the middle to meet you. Behind this was St. Louis Cathedral. To think such an amazing church lie in the wake of this party-crazed city was a bit funny. We ventured in side, looked at the stained glass, portraits, and artifacts. For a few minutes we sat down and just rested. With the holy singing of deep tones ringing through the halls it was a beautiful moment. I might add for our parents sake we were very respectful, which is more than we can say for most of the loud an obnoxious tourists who burst in.
Right next to the church was another Louisiana historical Museum. This turned out to be the one we had wanted earlier. The Cabildo was a lot of fun giving us the full and very long lesson about Louisiana's past. This was a long museum trip, and after venturing up and down 3 stories filled with artifacts and stories we were getting hungry. It was approaching mid afternoon, close to 4 that we looked for an early dinner, late lunch. This was the opportune time to try Acme's Oyster House. The line outside was short enough that we were in and ordering only after ten minutes or so. In the way back, where it was cool and dark we enjoyed our jambalaya and have shrimp, half oyster po' boy sandwich respectively. The sports updates that flashed across the screen was just enough to keep in touch with the Giants. Fully satisfied, relaxation set in. it was still very hot and humid outside, and not iwhsing to see or spend more money on possible museums it was the perfect time for a little break.
Back on the trolley we made our way to the hostel. Cooling off with the air conditioned hallways we set up camp in the wi-fi lobby. We monitored laundry, re-filled water bottles, cooperated with the internet, and chatted with passer-by's. Energy restored and a change of clothes, it was back to the trolley. We got into the French quarter at 9 and made our way to Cafe Du Monde. Following the powdered sugar trail we plopped down outside at a table where not even the cover of night negated the heat. It was Sunday night but the New Orleans life was still booming. Here we people watched while munching on our orders of beignets. Coffee, and frozen cafe au laits. It was just delightful. Such a wondrous place to be able to enjoy the sights and sounds around while casually eating a great treat.
The night wold lead us away from hustle and bustle of a tourists life, towards the same crazed local area's. Closer to the outskirts of the French Quarter there were many bars and restaurants all busting out loud soul and blues music. Here we stepped in a few and enjoyed the sounds wailing throughout the night. Near 11 now we took off back t Bourbon St. Kim's friend from home, Brianna, just so happened to be in New Orleans that very same week for a Sports medicine conference. (Sorry we missed you Aimee!) Located on Canal St we walked to the hotel and met up. Here we just talked and laughed getting to know one another, having a good time looking out on the beautiful night lights. As it was getting late, by 2'o’clock things had died down and we departed. The streets were still roaring with parties, but more and more people stumbled on home. Back to our familiar trolley we did the same, exhausted by our full day.
The next morning we woke up early. The number of roommates we had doubled at 4 in the morning as we were woken up by a full house. They apologized and everyone fell back to sleep. It was now our turn to wake them up. The alarm clock would do the trick, notifying us to shower, pack and get ready for the road. Giving our thanks, and getting our deposit we left the proprietor and his wife, and drove off. While leaving New Orleans we decided to stop off near the 9th ward district and look for ourselves at the lasting affects of hurricane Katrina. It has been years, but the devastation is still quite visible. Just about every other house is boarded up, with water marks circling the outside. We even went down an abandoned road to a deserted 6 flags theme park. The park itself was gated pretty well, but as we drove around it was eerie to see something so empty, joyless, and destroyed.
This somber stop wouldn't be our last as we drove towards Atlanta. A quick drive through the small city of Mobile Alabama was nice. Later we would actually park and walk around Montgomery Alabama. Here we tried to find something to do, but nothing proved to be all that interesting. The visitor center had little to offer except for a rousing game of Auburn university themed checkers. We must have looked pretty ridiculous sitting there in rocking chairs or children stool, playing checkers off in the corner. We did however go to the post office and get the much needed stamps for postcards. (They're on their way! And if you want one, just drop us a line with the right info.) Montgomery proved to be a bit of a disappointment. Even though it is full of rich history during the civil rights movement, the Rosa parks museum and library was anything but special, and we just couldn't get ourselves to go into the Hank Williams museum, not our time period. Leaving montgomery was a bit scary as we accidentally went through some bad neighborhoods, that gave you that off feeling like something wasn't right. Pulling the ole Griswald family click of the doors and “roll em up” we left quite fast for Atlanta.
It may have proven best that we did not dawdle our time away on the road to Atlanta. Communicating with one of Michael's friends we didn't have too many options as we rolled into town. 7:00 was late enough that most things were closed only permitting our own self guided tours. But what we did find out was the Braves were playing t 7:10 against the Blue Jays. Speeding into Atlanta we found parking instantly and got arrived at the stadium entrance at 7:15. Purchasing their 10 dollar student section seats we were excited for this new experience.
Our seats were the 13th row of the upper deck, directly behind home plate. It was good enough for the both of us. Of course baseball concession prices are outrageous so we brought our packs of seeds to munch on. The game itself was kind of boring. By the 8th inning there had only been a total of 5 hits, and neither team seemed to really care. Tim Hudson the pitcher for the Braves did an outstanding job, but it just didn't feel right rooting him on. Michael did not want to have to perform the Braves Tomahawk chant. Stay strong. The game itself didn't matter as were constantly looking all around trying to soak up this unfamiliar place. Maybe I am biased but stadium felt more flashy, showy, and in your face. Like an annoying radio broadcaster with sound bytes there was a lack of class or style that was picked up by the theme park feel. Fireworks and special effects were going off left and right. The braves would end up winning 2-0 off the pitcher Hudson's 2-run jack which would be his second career homer ever. He even reached a milestone in strike outs by making it to 1600.
Exiting the stadium, the car was right where we left it. Stomach's grumbling from a lack of ballpark food we drove to a very cool, local hangout called Varsity's. It seemed like every local from the ballpark had made it to this hip spot. At the window they ask, “What'll ya have?” We replied with an order consisting of a couple of their famous chili dogs, (real chili, none of that southwestern bean crap) some onion rings and fries. Boy was it goooood. From here we would once again go find a familiar parking lot somewhere in Atlanta. A big difference from other cities is that Atlanta has no major waterway right next to it. It has this great rural feel surrounding it, as you venture outside of the great skyscrapers and there you are smack dab in a suburban community with the city in the background. It was actually very pretty, and cool to see how close one can live to a city without that urban in between.
Off to bed, later y'all!
-The Ghost of Ted Turner
P.S. Damn. The girls here were amazing! Sooo hot.
No comments:
Post a Comment