Downtown New Orleans: A special place

Day 161
New Orleans, LA

It's  a hard thing this living on the road. I've only got two people to talk to and one of them is the dog. We have too tell him he is staying home today while we go check out downtown. His look of concern is as clear as words from a human mouth. 

​You're leaving me again?

Now yesterday I told you that New Orleans was a dangerous place to be. That doesn't mean it needs to be avoided. Most of the time when a violent crime happens it's not an accident. Some piece of crap person pissed off another piece of crap person. These pieces of crap have not liked each other for a while and BANG! One gets shot. So don't be a piece of crap and your chances of being safe are relatively good. Let's go for a walk.

The forecast looks a bit on the dreary side. Rain will be speckling through all day. Our activities are chosen wisely, and we head straight to the city park. Thirteen hundred acres have been set aside for people to come here and just chill out. In the southern half of the park are multiple attractions. There is an amusement park, soccer fields, walking space, art museum, and a five acre sculpture garden.

After a walk through the sculptures we head to the north side of the park to look at, well, nothing. It's almost like this place is in a completely different town. The fences are falling apart and nothing is well kept. It's a sad looking piece of real estate so we move on towards Jackson Square. It's a nerve wrecking drive through traffic and one way streets. Parking is an absolute nightmare. We end up about 3/4 of a mile from the downtown action and walk to our destination. The first spot we go to downtown is St. Louis Cathedral. It's a bit of a sentimental trip for us. Katie and I were down here in May of 2010 and took a picture that we both have cherished. It was our first vacation together as a couple.

Built in 1783 and a large renovation in 1850

Upon leaving the rain started to set it. A tiny drizzle misted down as we walked further into the french quarter. Downtown New Orleans certainly has a vibe like nowhere else in the country. It oozes with enthusiasm and charisma. Boutique shops and bars fill a couple dozen square blocks to lure money from tourists. Oh don't worry, there is also homeless, beggars, hustlers, and street performers who will also do what they can to get your money. Top that off with a guy who tried to sell me weed and that mighty southern charm was felt all the way to my soul. Goodbye New Orleans, we won't be back.