Taking In the Big Easy

It’s been ten days since we returned home from New Orleans. More than enough time to make another blog entry? NOT! Sometimes we get terribly bogged down here. I’d like to introduce you to Andrew. Putting my blog entries up on the internet is one of his duties. Andrew also updates our pen pal entries, does the layout for some of our books, updates the websites and helps to pack orders. He does all of this after a full day in grade twelve. (Andrew has an average close to 94%!) Needless to say he’s indispensable (but overworked) around here.

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Andrew, hard at work.

The last two days in New Orleans, Wil and I took a very needed break and toured The Garden District, The French Quarter and the river boats, docked along the banks of the Mississippi.

The Garden District of New Orleans has beautiful wide streets flanked with big old mansions. Check out the Van Benthuysen-Elms Mansion and a sampling of the beautiful gardens.

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The "Van Benthuysen-Elms Mansion" [left] and beautiful gardens in the Garden District [right].

A visit to New Orleans would never be complete without a meal at Mother’s Restaurant. Mother’s which is famous for its Cajun food, was right around the corner from our hotel. Each day, all day long, long line-ups of hungry patrons would spill out onto the sidewalk.

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Patrons waiting to be seated at Mother’s Restaurant.

St. Louis Cathedral sits in a large park close to the river in the French Quarter. At night, dozens of psychics and artists set up shop around the perimeter of the park and light up the night with candles.

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St. Louis Cathedral.

The Market Restaurant (down in the French Market) seemed to have jazz bands playing continuously, entertaining diners. We enjoyed two very good bands here on different occasions.

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A jazz show in the French Quarter.

The buildings in the French Quarter, although somewhat run down, were quite exquisite. All in all, we enjoyed our short break and have fond memories of New Orleans.

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Elegant buildings in the French Quarter.