NOLA

In an earlier post, I proudly boasted about finding my favourite American city; well, I might need to retract that comment, or at least revise it after our time in New Orleans. This city is incredible, fantastic, brilliant - truth be told, it’s every adjectives you can think of, plus a few more. It has an energy; an effervescence; a celebratory attitude towards life that I haven’t experienced anywhere else in America. To say you’re thoroughbred ‘NOLAN’ (New Orleans, Louisiana) is an affirmation that you’ve got jazz in your soul, happiness in your heart, and gumbo in your stomach. I love it!

With so many fabulous restaurants, cafes and bars you could easily mistake a stroll for a food safari. As the menus taunt and your stomach begins to rumble, you fear that spontaneity may result in regret; and so you turn to someone more decisive for instruction, only to realise he too is an ambivalent mess. This torment lasted hours before Lucan and I decided on a pizzeria for lunch. And boy, oh, boy, was it worth the wait! Since it was Curly’s birthday, I stipulated that self-restraint was not an option and so we ordered accordingly. More decorous diners might have blushed when enough food for four arrived, but not us, nope, we squirmed with excitement and then devoured the whole lot.

With our diaphragms pushing hard against our thorax, the only chance we had of restoring healthy breathing was to walk, and walk, and walk - and so we did. By the time we had traipsed the length of Magazine Street our bodies had almost recovered, leaving us with just enough energy to watch a film before slipping into a deep, happy slumber.

Magazine Street

The Garden District is best described as a figment of the most wildly beautiful imagination; or as a gift, bequeathed to current residents by a forgone generation of chic architects. If the pastel paint is the wrapping paper, then the balconies are the ribbon, permanently tied in cast iron lace.

The majesty of these houses is undeniable, but I warn you, don’t let that deceive you; for their immaculate exteriors belie an impressive resilience, which kept them standing through both war and weather. When Hurricane Katrina stuck in 2005, it devastated much of the surrounding area, making this a place of historical significance, for both tourists and film makers alike. For those of you that watch American Horror Story, I’ve taken a snap of the house from season 3, Coven; and believe me when I tell you, it’s even more beautiful in reality.

A wonderful afternoon followed our successful morning, as we sauntered through the French Quarter; which is perhaps more European in name that it is in nature. That being said, there were a few resemblances; most notably, the narrow alleys and the captivating street performers, who were just as indifferent to the weather, as any you might find in Covent Garden. It goes without saying, the music scene in New Orleans is unparalleled. Frenchman Street might be the epicentre, but the wash-board strumming, foot-tapping, drum-beating singers on the street are just as good. It has to be said, folk sounds good when it’s renegade. What could be better than the sound of a live banjo as you shop? A saxophone solo and a booming voice whilst you’re eating dinner perhaps? Whatever your musical preference, a trip to NOLA will leave you energised and happy, I promise.

Bourbon Street

French Quarter

The Houses of the French Quarter

The shops

Artists Night Market

The Music

The Cars

If you're currently standing in line at Flight Club, Size(?), or anything equivalent, serendipity is about to knock you off your lucky little feet. If you're not, and you have no interest in sneakers, then consider this an intervention, because you should!

Until this morning, not so much as a grain of quinoa had been displaced by impulse purchases. Considering we sleep, eat and drive in a space no bigger than twenty square foot, trying to squeeze any more into our portable home could easily send me into a neurotic frenzy. It should therefore speak volumes to hear that one visit to 'Politics' and I was happily reorganising the whole van, like it was a game of Tetris.

This shop is fantastic! Not only is the selection comprehensive and varied, the guys working there are knowledgable, accommodating and very, very generous. Between us we paid $140 for three pairs of brand new air Jordan's and two tees. For you at home, that's £83. I dare you to score a deal like that in London. Whilst this might sound like I'm bragging, I'm not, I'm sharing the love; because ladies and gentleman, 'Politics' ships internationally! All raise a foot to FedEx!

The Laughs