It was All Star Weekend when we decided to go, but my girl and I weren't concerned with the game, the parties, nor the ballers that came packaged with this star studded event. No. We went to New Orleans simply to GET OUR LIVES!
While it would have been nice to get into a celebrity party and twerk with the best of them, I just couldn't fathom being caught in all the commotion. Here's a quick A.C. Fact: I will gladly decline a potential good time if there is a lot of waiting and astronomically priced tickets involved. I'm good.
So, regardless of our reservations about attending the All Star events, we still decided to hit the road on down to "the boot"; either way, New Orleans just oozes with culture and we were certain that a good time awaited us!
I won't get too detailed about the trip, but to sum it all up...WE HAD A BLAST!! From the food, to the music, to the art...everything was an experience and not so much just something to do. Of course we strolled up and down Bourbon Street and indulged ourselves in the bountiful street acts and various liquors. That was cool. We were "turnt" as the people say. However, the best taste of New Orleans came from this street my girl and I stumbled upon called Frenchmen (pictured top left). Everything we hear about New Orleans was jam packed in just a couple hundred feet and it was beautifully overwhelming!
While it would have been nice to get into a celebrity party and twerk with the best of them, I just couldn't fathom being caught in all the commotion. Here's a quick A.C. Fact: I will gladly decline a potential good time if there is a lot of waiting and astronomically priced tickets involved. I'm good.
So, regardless of our reservations about attending the All Star events, we still decided to hit the road on down to "the boot"; either way, New Orleans just oozes with culture and we were certain that a good time awaited us!
I won't get too detailed about the trip, but to sum it all up...WE HAD A BLAST!! From the food, to the music, to the art...everything was an experience and not so much just something to do. Of course we strolled up and down Bourbon Street and indulged ourselves in the bountiful street acts and various liquors. That was cool. We were "turnt" as the people say. However, the best taste of New Orleans came from this street my girl and I stumbled upon called Frenchmen (pictured top left). Everything we hear about New Orleans was jam packed in just a couple hundred feet and it was beautifully overwhelming!
We ate dinner at Adolfo's which happens to be one of the most popular restaurants in the city for authentic Creole/Italian cuisine. This is the place that actually led us to Frenchmen Street! We were googling authentic food places to eat in NOLA, Adolfo's popped up and the rest is history! You HAVE to try it if you decide to go. The food was SCRUMPTIOUS. It was kind of pricey, but it was well worth it. Oh...don't get to Adolfo's too late but try not to arrive too early! They open their doors at 5:30pm and only have about 10 tables in the restaurant. It's quite intimate but that's what makes it so unique. The kitchen is small and visible from the dining floor and there are only about two or three servers. All of them seem to be well versed servers and are very knowledgeable about the menu and can go into detail about the different entrees they offer. Needless to say, customer service was superb. Enough of my jibber jabber, I'll throw in some pics of my grub!
Here's my starter! (They give you the option of salad or pasta :-)
Mussels for the appetizer! I can't remember that sauce they were in but LAAAAAWD....it was good!!
My Entree!! It probably looks messy BUT this was fresh cooked grouper fish topped with a seafood medley of shrimp, crab, crawfish, and some seasoning that Jesus Christ himself concocted.
While dinner was a hit, there were more hits happening literally right outside of Adolfo's door! These two men were standing on the corner serenading the bystanders. I wish I could upload the video here, but they sang us the most beautiful "Welcome to New Orleans" song. It was refreshing to hear and it helps that these are obviously two of the COOLEST cats in town.
Here's my bestie and I standing in front of this appropriately named tattoo parlor! Don't act like you can't feel this high voltage through the screen!! (This place was right across the street from Adolfo's).
The LAST thing I'm going to mention is the art. Oh. My. Goodness. While there were many vibrant and abstract murals in the area, this happened to be the most outstanding and intricate one. I have no idea of the history behind it, what it means, or who painted it...all I know is that it had a voice. These loud colors actually reflect the spirit of New Orleans...in my opinion. Everyone there was of good spirit and high energy and this image spoke to that. It might sound a bit deep...or all sapped up...but it's the truth!
There's nothing like opening your mind to another culture and actually submersing yourself in it. It's the easiest way to learn something new, not only about that place...but yourself as well! You never know how you'll respond to something if you never face it. You never know what may catch your eye if you never truly open them. You have to get out there and EXPLORE! I made it a point to travel more this year and I'm glad that New Orleans was my first stop. It really kicked things off the right way!
Now, where is your next destination? OR what has been your favorite place to visit and what did you learn?? Let's discuss it!!
~A.C.
There's nothing like opening your mind to another culture and actually submersing yourself in it. It's the easiest way to learn something new, not only about that place...but yourself as well! You never know how you'll respond to something if you never face it. You never know what may catch your eye if you never truly open them. You have to get out there and EXPLORE! I made it a point to travel more this year and I'm glad that New Orleans was my first stop. It really kicked things off the right way!
Now, where is your next destination? OR what has been your favorite place to visit and what did you learn?? Let's discuss it!!
~A.C.