{"id":568,"date":"2016-02-13T02:34:02","date_gmt":"2016-02-13T02:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=568"},"modified":"2016-03-06T01:59:38","modified_gmt":"2016-03-06T01:59:38","slug":"the-big-easy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/02\/13\/the-big-easy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big Easy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our arrival in New Orleans was a bit marred by my bad experience<\/a> and waste of time at the GMC service center there. \u00a0But with that in the past we set out for a day of exploring in town. \u00a0We followed the advice here <\/a>and had no trouble getting a spot to park. \u00a0We were definitely big for the parking spots but we squeezed into one, paid and headed out on foot. \u00a0Had we been in a dual rear wheel truck there would have been no way.<\/p>\n

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It was before noon and the first thing that hit me was the number of people drinking on the street. \u00a0Many of which were already drunk (or maybe still drunk from previous night). \u00a0Once on Jackson Square we found a place to try out some local food and for desert we wanted beignets from Cafe Du Monde. \u00a0On a nice warm Saturday the line was really long but sweet Steph stayed in line while I took the kids to watch some street performers. \u00a0 We stopped at these hip hop guys who were assembling quite a crowd. \u00a0They spent more time gathering spectators than they did on their actual show but they were really good and very entertaining. \u00a0They were called Dragon Master Showcase and were on America’s Got Talent at one time.<\/p>\n

We took our beignets to the park to enjoy these powder sugar coated delicacies. \u00a0I’d see little piles of powdered sugar all around the area, no doubt from other consumers of these sweet treats. \u00a0We went over to the riverwalk along the Mississippi river. \u00a0We were sitting at the waters edge listening to a couple musicians when this homeless looking guy started talking to the crowd. \u00a0He was nice and had quite a story including being in the service and serving 19 years for homicide! \u00a0I kept expecting him to ask for money but he never did. \u00a0In fact, he had beads to give out and even a little stuffed animal for Brielle. \u00a0He said he got them all for free and just wanted to pass them along.<\/p>\n

Next we meandered through the streets listening to the different music that seemed to start reving up as the sun went down. \u00a0We walked a few blocks down Bourbon street and then headed back toward the truck. \u00a0But we saw a sign for pralines and had to try one. \u00a0Whooooooweeeee, they are sweet. \u00a0I think my blood sugar spiked an all time high after that bad boy!<\/p>\n

I liked the French Quarter. \u00a0I liked the vibe. \u00a0I liked the variety of people and music. \u00a0It was a good day.<\/p>\n

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Big leaf<\/p><\/div>

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Jackson Square<\/p><\/div>

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These guys were amazing<\/p><\/div>

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Green door<\/p><\/div>

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Enjoying Beignets<\/p><\/div>

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Touching the Mighty Mississippi....yuck<\/p><\/div>

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Mississippi river<\/p><\/div>

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Sittin on the dock of the bay<\/p><\/div>

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Classic bike<\/p><\/div>

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Street music<\/p><\/div>

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Blinged out bike<\/p><\/div>

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This lady felt what she was playing<\/p><\/div>

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Enjoying some tunes<\/p><\/div>

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Bourbon Street<\/p><\/div>

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Listening<\/p><\/div>

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More music<\/p><\/div>

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French Quarter<\/p><\/div>

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Where are we?<\/p><\/div>

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Many trips here for public restroom<\/p><\/div>

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Really?<\/p><\/div><\/div>