Here is the pair of beads that I was wearing in that picture. They were blessed by a high voodoo priestess to ward off evil. Too bad they didn't work on vampires.
Anyways, as my focus right now is on finishing the renovation of my page, it will be a short time before this page is updated. So check back soon tolearn all about the funnest place in the world (that I know of).
The Quarter
The best part of New Orleans has got to be the Quarter. The French Quarter, located in New Orleans right off of the Mississippi River. It is the cultural, historical, and fun center of New Orleans. Culturally, and historically the Quarter is the home to places as the Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral, and numerous museums. As far as fun things are concerned however, the Quarter is home to such places as The House of Blues, The Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, The Fashion Cafe, Hooters, Pat O'Briens, The Cats Meow, Laffite's Blacksmith Shop (the oldest tavern in the United States) and many other night clubs as well.
Wildlife
Louisiana is the home of a lot of really awesome wildlife. In the swamps you can find the best variety. From aligators to Nutria (which are basically what ROUS's are from The Princess Bride - Rodents Of Unusual Size). They are pretty huge. Also there are great varieties of fish. The Audobon Zoo, and The Aquarium of the Americas are awesome places that display the animals that are the coolest from all over the world.
well I have to go
More to come soon
Learn all about the most famous Pirate of Louisiana history, Jean Laffitte here
Also check out my pictures from the Zoo
Here is the pair of beads that I was wearing in that picture. They were blessed by a high voodoo priestess to ward off evil. Too bad they didn't work on vampires.
This was the other tour guide for the night. He took us to the oldest bar in the United States. And told us many stories, he also had a pretty good sense of humor.
This is the center point of the French Quarter, yet I really don't know all that much about it at all. Except that it looks really cool, and I have a sketch of it (from memory and pictures) on my art page.
Another picture of the Cathedral, this time from the side, and closer up.
This is a picture of a horse drawn carriage, there are about 30 of them in the French Quarter, and are a great idea for first time visitors, as the drivers know a lot about the city.
This is just a cool street sign on the outskirts of the French quarter showing the French that is still in the area. That symbol is called the 'Fleur De Li' and they have a few other spellings for 'Li' as well.
Here is a picture taken looking down Bourbon Street at night, around 11pm (before it gets too crowded). bourbon Street is the main street in New Orleans, and it is located in the French Quarter. It is lined with souveneir shops, bars, clubs, and adult clubs.
This is a picture of me performing at the Cats Meow, the hottest Karaoke club in Louisiana, and possibly the whole U.S.A. This is the place where you will find 75% of the college students in Louisiana (including locals and tourists) at night. If you don't get in early, you don't get in period. After 12:30am you usually need to be lucky, known, or a high tipper to get in. By that time the bar is packed tighter than tight, and people are out on the streets all around the place just to see in, and listen to the performances. You can see this on Friday and Saturday nights especially during the summer, right after finals, and during any college breaks or of course Mardi Gras. Go to the website: http://www.nola.com/ and follow the link to the BourboCam to see for yourself. (btw they love it when you let them sing along as i am doing in the pic)
Here is another picture of me, this time singing myself. I am singing Friends In Low Places by Garth Brooks, you can buy copies of a video of yourself singing there for $20. I did.
Here is a picture from Pat O'Brian's. This is a cool fountain that is in their courtyard. The only fire and water fountain that I have ever seen. It is especially awesome in the dark.
The House of Blues.... In Blues We Trust. A big name, recognized across the country, and here in the heart of the blues-town itself. This is a really awesome place to go. I went to see an eighties band called Cheap Trick. They were awesome, I even got one of their drumsticks. Although it is really awesome on the inside, they will take your camera at the door. Very fun atmosphere, and a place that makes the top of my Got To Go To list. Especially if there is a name band. Located on the outskirts of the French Quarter
This is that drumstick
Well, they can only take your camera if they can see it, and they can't see it if it is small enough to fit deep in your pocket, and you forget about it. Hehehe This is the only picture I took that came out very well, as I couldn't use my flash during the performance, and only chanced it on my way out. I thought this was cool though.
Now that brings us to the Hard Rock Cafe in New Orleans. It is just off the Quarter, and one of the hottest places to be. Lines may be quite long however. Here you see me posing with my waitress.
This is just a picture of the floor of the Fashion Cafe, one of the cooler places (just like a Hard Rock, or Planet Hollywood, only founded by models) in New Orleans. It is a little on the expensive side though, and has a souvenier shop inside. Also ocated on the outskirts of the French Quarter
The next best thing about New Orleans, actually probably the best thing, but it is only around for a few weeks a year, is Mardi Gras. Although I don't have any pictures from Mardi Gras, I do have some pictures of things that I got from Mardi Gras. This one on the left is a picture of a mask that I have. It is a pretty typical Mardi Gras mask, but much less elaborate than all of the ones that people make for themselves to wear at Mardi Gras. The one on the right is a picture of a pair of Beads from Bacchus. Bacchus is one of the older parades of Mardi Gras. This one is from their 30th year aniversary, and is marked with "Bacchus XXX" on the back.
Here is a variety of things that I have gotten from Mardi Gras including beads, doubloons, toys, and key chains. They also throw cups, frisbees, cocoanuts, and much much more.
Mimes as well as artists, musicians, jugglers, painters, living manaquins (sp?) and just plain street performers in general, are one of the funnest things about the French Quarter during the daytime, and the night time.
In Fact, here I am enjoying the services of one of them now. The palm readers charge donation scaled, depending on how well they do. Usually from $10-20, for about 15-20 minutes of Palm reading, stone reading, and tarot reading. Other than him saying that I "HAD" a job change when i was 25.. he was pretty well on. And I still probably will have a job change around 23 or 24, so he wasn't far off.
This is just an example of a building in the French quarter, which happens to be a very nice hotel.
Another example of French Quarter Architecture.
Here is a picture of a streetcar on Canal Street. Streetcars are called Red Ladies in New Orleans.
Another picture of one of the Red Ladies.
This is where the New Orleans Saints play, as well as the fact that many events are held here often, and others once in a while, such as the Sugar bowl, Super Bowl, Republican National Convention, circuses and more.
Here is my Guest Pass from the Republican National Convention. I was young enough to find it really cool at the time. Now I think I would be bored stiff.
The best thing about Louisiana is the Roman Candy. It is very cheap for what they could charge. You get about a finger thick, foot long piece of really good taffy that is nothing like salt-water taffy, or Tangy taffy. they sell it in Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate. I just wish they took mail orders... :( You can usually find him in the Audobon zoo.
Here is a picture of a riverboat on the Mississippi River, with the bridge in the background. This is taken from the Aquarium of the Americas.
Plantations are the big thing of the Old South. Here is what they looked like. Pretty cool huh? This was a few miles outside of New Orleans.
This is another one of my three pictures here from outside New Orleans. This is the State Capital in Baton Rouge. It is 33stories tall. And when you look off from the observation deck, you feel like you are at the top of the world. Although I cannot compare this to the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Space needle, or Sears Tower as I have never been to any of them, but I bet it is about the same.
This is the view when we were going fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. This was taken a few miles out on the water from Delacroix island.