After spending 2 1/2 days in New Orleans (or, NoLa, for those hip readers), I learned my fair share about the city and how it works.  New Orleans is a beautiful, strange, eccentric, captivating city – especially if you ignore the bathrooms that are so dirty that they’re unfit for use and the slight stench that you encounter as you meander through the French Quarters.

Most of these lessons were learned in the small confines of the French Quarters.  I didn’t have time to see the other sites of the city, so things probably vary from place to place.

No shame in their game.  G and I have retired from the nightlife scene, so we went to Bourbon Street for the experience – not to end the nights face down in one of the city’s dirty toilets. 

But, the shot girls didn’t care.  For the most part, they left us alone (maybe because I gave them a death stare every time they looked our way?).  But, it never failed, when I returned from the restrooms (and the visits always took extra long, what with all the balancing acts and using my elbows and shoulders as my hands and the sanitizing ritual that followed all of that nonsense), the shot girls were swarming G.  They’d pull completely unnecessary tricks like putting the test tube shots in their mouth (yes, because THAT makes me want to buy the shot). 

There was even one girl that jumped me after I returned from the restroom with two test tubes in her mouth trying to force them down my throat, claiming that they “were already paid for” by G (which, I will admit, is quite a talent, being able to talk with two test tubes down your throat).  When I said “No, thanks” to her saliva and her shots, she looked dumbfounded and said, “but you’re on Bourbon Street!” like it was a fantastic reason to take shots from her mouth?  Ah well, I’m guess I’m just getting old.   The point of this long story is that the girls were up for anything if it made them a couple bucks – even if it meant trashing it up for the evening.

People want your money.  In no other city have I noticed people, workers, cabbies, and the like so hard up for my money.  The waitresses at Cafe du Monde were pretty tip-hungry (although, it was totally worth it because a cup of the best coffee I’ve ever had and 3 beignets landed on my table practically before I finished ordering).  My cabbie ignored me after I told him I’d be paying with a credit card.  Street performers harassed us until we were out of ear’s reach or had already handed over a couple bucks.  Shot girls practically sold themselves for a $1 tip (as mentioned above).

A new meaning for dirty.  I was actually pleasantly surprised by how clean Bourbon Street was compared to what I had expected it to be.  The other streets in the Quarter were not quite as clean, but still better than I expected.  What I was shocked by were restrooms and bars.  Especially the restroom at Cafe du Monde.  I don’t think the bathroom had been cleaned since, well, ever.  It was traumatizing to say the least.  I had to put the thought out of my head as I munched on sugary beignets, but the bathroom will henceforth hold the title as the dirtiest bathroom I have ever used in my life. 

The restaurants around the Quarters were much better, but all the bars, taverns, jazz joints were dirty.  Luckily, our hotel was on the cleaner side.  It was almost like a safe zone for my germaphobe-side which let out a huge sigh of relief every time we returned.

They’ve heard of Dave Ramsey.  Cash was king in NoLa.  Whenever I waved a credit card someone’s way, they gave me a confused look and nodded towards the nearest ATM.  And when they did accept my credit cards, it was a long, caveman-like process.  They had to take down all sorts of information from my driver’s license (which just makes me nervous) and consult with about a million other workers at the bar like I’d just handed over some new-age form of money that they’ve never seen.  Maybe they’re all on the Dave Ramsey plan?

Hot dogs are expensive.  There’s nothing better than a tasty dog with mustard and onions after a long night out on the town.  On our way home to the hotel one night, G and I ordered up two hot dogs from a street vendor.  As he loaded onions onto the first one, I looked at G and told him “this better be under $10 because that’s all the cash we have left”.  Even though the thought of two hot dogs costing more than $10 is just ludicrous, we asked the vendor about the cost anyway, just to be sure.  “$11.50,” he said.  Eleven fifty?!  For two hot dogs?!  Does this guy know I can buy a 10-pack at Wal-Mart for, like, a buck fifty?  Needless to say, we had to share just one dog that night.  Apparently, the recession hasn’t affected the hot dog vendor industry so adversely.

(Some) transportation is free…  Whenever I visit a big city (or, at least, a city that is walker-friendly), I’m so much more appreciative of my ability to move.  The only downside of Kansas City is that it is NOT walker-friendly (sometimes G and I will walk to a restaurant near our apartment and we practically risk our lives every time we do so because the drivers are so unfamiliar with the phenomenon of walking).  In NoLa, I walked everywhere.  The only time I got into a car was on the drive to and from the airport.  Some walks – like to the Cafe du Monde – were longer, but that was okay.  I’m so used to being cooped up in my cubicle, car, and apartment all day, I welcome the automatic exercise, stretching, and fresh air. 

In addition to eating too much fried food, people-watching, and checking out Bourbon Street, I was able to attend Mass at the beautiful St. Louis cathedral since I was there on a holy day.  The cathedral is the most beautiful church I’ve ever been to and the Mass was one of the best I’ve ever attended. 

The people in NoLa were nice, friendly, and entertaining, too.  Although, the city was a bit dirty, indulgent, and money-hungry, it has a strange charm – I’m definitely happy I went!

Have you ever been to New Orleans?  What was your favorite thing about the city?

G found out today that he has to go to New Orleans in two weeks for work.  Every time he has to travel for work, I immediately hop on Orbitz to check out flight prices.  Usually the flights are silly expensive so I never end up going.  But, this time, I was in for a surprise.  Turns out nonstop roundtrip flights to New Orleans from Kansas City are super cheap – to the tune of about $149!  So, I’ll be headed down south in 2 weeks!

New Orleans isn’t necessarily on the top of my dream destinations list – but I would like to see as much of the US of A as possible before we have kids so I’m super excited to check another city off of my list.  Plus, it’s hard to pass up a trip to a cool city for only $149!

What to do?  Where to go?

Seeing as I’ve never been to New Orleans before, I need some tips.

I’ll have 2 full days to explore the city while G is working.  I know we’ll be staying somewhat close to the French Quarters/Bourbon Street area.  I’d like to do as much walking as possible, so hopefully there is plenty to see within walking distance of that area.

What are your best travel tips for New Orleans?  What are some must-sees or places I should avoid?

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