Celebrating Gwen's Birthday
Today we (Kristen and I) celebrated Gwen’s birthday, and in the process of doing so ~ accomplished another 101 thing on my list ~ to play tourist in the French Quarter. It was Gwen’s idea and we couldn’t have asked for a more lovely day.
We walked around the French Quarter, starting at Petunia’s. You could pass by it and not know a restaurant was inside. The Quarter has many such hideaways. Though the menu called for the typical breakfast, I figured "what the heck, let’s make this a day of unique food." I had what is best described as an Egg’s Benedict over Fried Eggplant. My taste buds started off saying, "Yumm, and oh, hey, what’s this, oh, Good!" Gwen told me that in Europe, breakfast is not a frequent meal. That's where the "continental breakfast" came from, simple pastries, nothing more.
Our next stop was the St. Louis Cathedral. I was delighted when Kristen asked, "Do you mind if we pray for a few minutes?" She follow
ed it up after the prayers with, "I know we can pray anywhere, but I think the reception is better in church."We enjoyed window-shopping. I thought it was neat how the storeowners and shoppers brought their dogs with them. One bulldog was sitting in a clothing shop. It had to be a male dog, because the expression was, "I don’t want to be here either." Lol.
Visiting local artists in the square was a joy. One painter allowed the tourists to sign the paintings as signs of appreciation and support for our community and local basketball players.
For lunch we treated Gwen to a delicious meal at the Gumbo Shop. We all had a small cup of seafood gumbo, then split an appetizer of alligator. It was in a sausage roll and the sauce that went with the gator was excellent. When we told the waitress that it was for a birthday celebration, she brought out bread pudding (at no extra charge).
All in all, a delightful day! (The picture above had to be cropped, because Gwen out of privacy reasons, did not want her picture on the Internet.)
Comments
I've tried the alligator at the Palace Cafe, but it's been years and years since I was there, before Katrina. They have really good food there. We actually passed by the restaurant on our tourist walk, but decided on the Gumbo Soup restaurant because it's one of those "You don't know it's there unless you know it's there" types of places.
I love the buildings in the area, because on the outside it looks like just another door, but on the inside ~ all sorts of history and beautiful courtyards. That's where we ate, in the courtyard.
There's a time when the homes in the French Quarter open their doors and let you go into the "secret gardens" and it's supposed to be absolutely beautiful! I want to do that one day.
i still love beignets and chicory in my coffee ...
it is a city that is unlike any other in the States, I think: its melding of cultures. it is beautiful, haunting, melancholy, soulful - what a lovely birth day.
fondly,
lady blue
Lady Blue ~ I had to smile with the “hour south if possible of New Orleans” ~ it’s possible if you don’t mind sharing the backyard with the gators. Hehe. Ahh, beignets ~ yes, that is a lovely tradition and I adore treating my northern cousins to some of those delicious treats when they come in town! I agree, New Orleans is a blend like no other. I’m can’t say how blessed we feel in this area to be in recovery, no matter the stage or situation, it is a positive step forward that we take day to day and continue to do so. It’s wonderful to know you can experience the memories as well.