What a fascinating day. We stayed about 1/2 hour out of New Orleans and greeted this morning by heading into the city about 10:00 am. My Droid, Agnus, guided me right to a great shop called Greg's Antiques and Other Assorted Junk at 1209 Decatur Street. It was so much fun. The funk sculptures and the stylish mid 1950's maple chairs sucked me inside and things just got better from there. Frank and I were both very impressed with the scope, quality and quanity of this joint. It was a cavern and the proprietor kept apologizing for having it so empty. Apparently the first of every moth he brings in a tractor trailor full of antiques, chandeliers, art work and smalls. Very interesting guy, dog and inventory!
We walked just 2 blocks to the Flea Market which is a long time New Orleans tradition although the Pavillion is all new construction. We sauntered through and enjoyed the street vendors. Frank made friends with some vendor and got a free henna tattoo that said GAUX SAINT. We came upon this fabulous Brass Band who got everyone right in the spirit by singing "When The Saint's Come Marching In!" It was only then we realized we were totally surrounded by New Orleans Saint's fans who were there to get primed for the game. We looked foolish in our pastel colors from NH. EVERYONE was in gold and black or purple.
We spent about 3 hours gawking at the scenery, tourists, colors, galleries, musicians, transexual freaks, clowns, police, Saint's fans, magicians and then after absorbing as much creativity as possible, then we left. When I went into St. Louis Cathedral last winter there was a beautiful wedding in progress. Today the Cathedral was celebrating Mass. So, ever wanting to experience everythig presented I ducked into the standing room only afternoon mass. I joined in saying the Lord's Prayer and by the end the incense had totally overtaken me, my eyes were running, I started to wheeze and had to leave. It must have been a sign, this wasn't my kind of religion.
We went next door and went to the Mardi Gras Historical Exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum. It was a nice exhibit, albeit a confusing blend of cultures and beliefs - quite large, expansive.
The pulse of the city was building. The Saint's fans were quickly taking over the streets and starting to party. Lines were building at the better restuarants and we decided we had had enough of NOLA. We headed south into the Bayou.
It was here we were most inspired, the most at home, among the rotting relics that used to be shrimp boats, shacks on the bayou and make-do houses.
We were so far south that even the church was in a trailer. We could easily spot which trailers were new and probably the result of FEMA help vs. those that got patched probably because they lacked insurance. Frank dubbed them a singlewide on a stick.
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