NOLA!

Whenever I told people that I was going to New Orleans for my break, people were like, "What?! That's random?" Haha, yes it was really random that I picked New Orleans as my vacation spot when people would go to... Miami, LA, Orlando - somewhere with more sun. And yes, I am in New Orleans right now!

I left just in time before the snow storm hit again yesterday in Chicago.

Some part of New Orleans reminds me of the strip in Vegas- more like the end of the strip part where less night life and lights. The French Quarter is a whole new world compared to the rest of New Orleans - very much French and some Spanish influence. It's classy, yet cute, but also a little run down? Many photo moments though! Always some interesting "artists"/"musicians" playing interesting instruments on the streets. Jazzy much?

French Quarter building

French Quarter - Stella!!

Bourbon has many jazz clubs and bars and some... strip clubs. When my friend and I passed by in the daytime, a guy in front of a strip club said to us that they were hiring. What?!! Lol I thought it was funny and offensive at the same time.

50 cents oysters.. what?!

Every time I'm in Bourbon and Royal Street, I could only think of the Streetcar Named Desire play! Speaking of streetcars, I finally went on a streetcar, even though it wasn't called Desire.

Streetcar!

Garden district is another interesting neighborhood that has an European edge to the houses. It's funny how it became a tourist place. I wonder how (un)comfortable people are when tourists come up to their houses and take lots of pictures. Even so, I still took a bunch of pictures when I saw some historical houses. Another interesting thing about New Orleans is that cemeteries are also tourist attractions. The one at Garden District is a cemetery that has huge tombs that serves for a family.

Garden District - Benjamin Button's nursing home

Garden District - special tiles

Art/ Warehouse district - What would you want to __ before you die...

The Carousel Bar in French quarter
actually turns slowly :)

I finally made it to see the Mississippi River! The reflection of lights is so pretty that reminds me of the harbor in Hong Kong except much bigger, cleaner and less packed.

Mississippi River at night :)

Jackson Square at night!

p.s. Before I left for New Orleans, I saw Mayday in Chicago! In the theater full of Asians, I seriously thought I was back at home or in Asia. After the concert, back to reality and back to missing home. I enjoyed them in Chicago though - made them speak English haha! And those white people had no idea who they were and what they were doing in Chicago. I must say it was a funny and interesting experience to see a Taiwanese Band in United States.