The Trip

Los Angeles is 1,892 miles from New Orleans. If you’ve ever touched tires to pavement in L.A. then you know about the I-10 freeway. 28 hours on the freeway can take you right to NOLA. But, if you’re like me then that 4 hour flight is more your speed. I spent seven days in the jazz-hub and historically rich city, and now that I’m back home I’ve reflected and come up with just what made NOLA so great this time around. This was my third trip to my second favorite city. I walked almost every street in the French Quarter. In my eyes, New Orleans is truly a gem. You can find fine cuisine (my favorite restaurant has to be The Original Pierre Maspero’s in the French Quarter). They have a delectable dish called Pistolettes (to die for!) and a really great cocktail called the Jimi Hendricks.

Highlights of the Trip

The Historic New Orleans Collection

When you’re in NOLA, you feel the spirit of good times and a history that runs deep. If you want to take a break from knocking back a few cocktails and learn about the city that’ll steal your heart, you need to stop by The Historic New Orleans Collection, a museum on the beautiful Royal Street. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the collection as much as I did. The docents were so knowledgeable and generous with information about the pieces. I couldn’t take pictures inside, but there are so many unique pieces in the collection from the beginning of New Orleans to the present.

The most striking parts for me were items that held the names of people you often think are lost to history, such as a document showcasing the sale of slaves: who they were, what their ‘roles’ were. Yet, a very standout piece for me was one called the ‘Blue Book’. It was a small blue booklet filled with the names of women. In the French Quarter’s past, a huge portion of the area was called ‘Storyville’. Despite the pleasant name, it was a place filled with brothels and prostitutes. These Blue Books were like guidebooks to the area which white male visitors were able to use in order to find someone to spend the night with. Why this is so powerful to me was how thorough it was. There were names in alphabetical order, there were street addresses and categories for which type/race of women a man could be interested in. No matter the station of the women in the book, their names are recorded and will never be forgotten. That just felt incredibly thought-provoking to me.

Block Party at Magazine Street

I had the wonderful chance to experience a Block Party on the shopping-centered street of New Orleans. The local businesses kept their doors open for customers to flock through. Often

they were offering free drinks, snacks, and information about their businesses, services, etc. One of the stores I went to was Peaches Records, it’s a mainstay in the NOLA area, beginning in 1975. This location had an excellent bit of history inside the huge interior, a Woolworth’s Luncheonette. 

For those of you who may not be aware, the Woolworth’s sit-in protests in 1960’s North Carolina was integral to nonviolent protests against ‘separate but equal’ policies in the South. So, the counter in Peaches Records seemed reminiscent of that important fight.

Also that night, I saw a performance by a member of The Marsalis Family (who are basically Jazz royalty), trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis. He is a premiere musician, educator, and composer in the Jazz world. It was his birthday and he was kind enough to share his music and art with the public in a free show. It truly felt like he and his ensemble were giving something vital to the community.

Frenchmen Street 

Even though I’ve been to this city two times before, for some reason I didn’t know about the magical bounty of Frenchmen Street. I’m surprised I didn’t hear the music since it’s so close to the French Market. There’s lovely live music pouring out of the clubs and bars, ranging from musicians playing original tunes to covers at the Maison, Carribean dancehall nights at the Blue Nile, or straight hip-hop and R&B at The Dragon’s Den. No matter what, it’s a guaranteed good time. There’s an art scene to compliment all the jazz. I enjoyed those clubs/bars and also stopped by the Artist’s Garden. I saw some elegant and pleasant curios.

I loved my vacation to New Orleans and I hope more people get to see and partake in the history, food, community, culture and much more!

Best,

Kai 😀