F is for



ABC Your Home State


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Welcome to “ABC of Your State” ~ This challenge is based on friends and bloggers asking about Louisiana, as well as my interest in travel and learning about other places. Please feel welcome to join in. There should be a linky for you to post your website address at the bottom of this post.



F is for…

~ French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carre (French for “old square”), is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. – it’ not just Bourbon Street, it’s history and culture, unique architecture, jazz music and sumptuous food. The French Quarter is a hodge podge of something wild, historical and artsy.

First place I’d suggest going to is the Jackson Square, (named for one of the three bronze statues of Andrew Jackson in the center of the square). At the back of the square is one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in continual use in the United States. You are allowed to take pictures inside, as long as mass isn’t going on. If the presidents give a speech, it’s typically with the St. Luis Cathedral in the background.




When my cousin’s children were little, they called it, “The Palace.” (Special Note: The cathedral doesn’t have any public restrooms. In fact, make your plans and consider the potty breaks around lunch/supper when you go to a restaurant, because this isn’t a typical mall area where they have public restrooms and restaurant restrooms are for customers served.)



But don’t just head straight towards the cathedral, mosey along the square and look at the various artists. Along the outside of the square, you’ll find paintings and the artist along all four sides of the iron gate.



After visiting the cathedral, you could also stop by The Cabildo. It was built between 1795 and 1799 to replace the building that burned in the 1794 fire. It was the seat of government in New Orleans during the Spanish colonial period and where the Louisiana Purchase was signed.


Then, pick a street and walk. The buildings are beautiful with ironwork, then the next street over you might see more simplistic buildings. It’s a mixture of the French and Spanish cultures. The walking tours and the buggy tours are a great way to get a taste of the various historical influences.





~ French Market. It’s an open aired market, which offers restaurants, produce to purchase and tables and tables of all sorts of things to buy, such as t-shirts, hats, jewelry, wallets – you name it, it’s going to be there. Artist are also there to sell their work. It’s a combination of food, groceries, gifts and art. It’s a great place to shop!

And… while you’re there, stop in at my cousin’s restaurant, Cajun Café at the Market. My cousin, Andrew, is an excellent cook. You're sure to get native Cajun food. We went there with one of our blogger friends and she couldn’t get over how good the chicken was in the gumbo. (In the picture below, the guy in red is my cousin.)


Comments

M.A. Leslie said…
I can't wait to visit some day.
Kim said…
That does look like a palace. Right out of a fairytale. Beautiful!!
Anonymous said…
If ever visit, I will definitely have to come back to your blog to get the inside scoop. Such beautiful photos.
The Mommy Mambo said…
I could use a good bowl of gumbo right now! Yum! I live in cajun country too ya know?!
Love the letter idea for exploring more about your local area! Great pictures!
Sarah @ made in usa challenge
The photos are awesome, Aleta! I really want to visit now. And I promise, I will have a G entry up for next week. Sorry, knew I wouldn't be able to catch every week.
Nelson said…
Hello! My first visit, will visit you again. Seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed your posts. Interesting pics! Congratulations for your work. If you wish to follow back that would be great I'm at http://nelsonsouzza.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing!
Those first pictures are stunning! Looks like an awesome place to visit.
Priscilla said…
I swear I need to visit this place. It sounds awesome! :) I love the architecture. Thanks for the share!
Ohhhh, now I'm craving a beignet from the French Quarter!! :) It's been so long since I've been there!

~Tabitha
April said…
I've never been to New Orleans-I want to visit someday! It looks beautiful. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment!
julie fedderson said…
I was just there last week!! I only got to stay a few hours, but the culture and history just saturate the place. I can't wait to go back, but until then, I can make a darn good gumbo.