New Orleans, Louisiana - The Big Easy

This part of the blog consists of a trip made by Randi, Scott, and our friends Greg and Danielle. I hope they realize they are about to be famous!

Before I forget, I wanted to let everybody know, Randi and I have a new addition to the family. His name is Black Jack or Big Fat Bunny or as mom calls him, the Black Pooper. Look for his picture in the slideshow. Right now Mom, Stacy, and Dad, are taking care of him. He will be going to the Hamptons and Sag Harbor this weekend just like all other bunnies from Long Island. Many thanks to Mom, Dad, and Stacy (even though he’s not shitting pellets, he freaked out when he was teased with corn, and won’t be fed until dad comes home because mom refuses to turn his food bowl back over even though she made him freak out).

August marks three years since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and it is a huge unavoidable part of New Orleans current culture. In most neighborhoods 1 out of 3 houses are still abandoned and many schools are closed because people have yet to return. Commercially we saw boarded up Walmart’s, Banks, Circuit Cities, and other business that are waiting to rebuild. Even though New Orleans is a city enduring much hardship, they stand strong and haven’t lost any of their heritage or southern hospitality charm.

This city is a remarkable vacation destination that has everything from an amazing rich history, exotic swamp lands to explore, unique Cajun Culture, outstanding jazz music, amazing foods, 32oz slushies, humidity, and bad hair days. The hotel we stayed at was beautiful and situated right in the French Quarters on Bourbon Street. We explored the city by taking a bus tour, swamp tour, and bourbon street self guided bar hopping tour (twice). There was so much to see and do. Jazz music everywhere, Mardi Gras beads in trees, beautiful Victorian homes, river boats, art, flee markets, street performers, casino’s and a whole modern city which we didn’t even begin to explore.

We definitely have to go back. After two days of fun, it was hard to say goodbye to Danielle and Greg. We are off to Orlando to enjoy the rain from Hurricane Fay.