Road Trip!!!!!

Louisiana Lemonade ~ oh Yeah

So we left the Hotel and took a cab to the Airport to pick up the hire car. Once we had figured out how to meet up with the shuttle that takes you to the hire cars ....all good. Once again we encountered what seems to be the norm here ~ people telling us we have not paid. ~ sigh ~ we have indeed paid and thank god I am anal enough that I printed out copies of EVERYTHING. Now this lovely lady spoke so bloody fast and in a southern kind of ethnic accent I had zero hope of understanding her. So finally after I simply asked her to speak slowly after assuring her I was not stupid ~ it turns out you have to pay $700 and something dollars as a security deposit. Another thing we were not told. Seems to be quite a bit of these charges and extras and taxes everytime you turn around.
On the other had ~ we called into the Petrol station and grabbed some ciggies, 2 x 360 mil coke , 2 x 360 mil diet coke and a bottle of water. Total price ~ $17.60. Seriously!

Houmas House Louisiana Plantation

 Good news though ~ they included a GPS with the car so we sorted that out and I must acknowledge our friends M & M. They said their GPS set to the American lady sounds condescending and quite exasperated if you make a change. Absolutely true ~ she sounds pissed off basically and quite put out to have to tell you to turn a corner. We actually felt guilty making a wrong turn. We will search for the Australian Accented one tomorrow

We decided to take in a Southern Plantation so on advice from the Hotel we went to Houmas House. Its situated in Darrow Louisiana about an hour from New Orleans. WOW is all I can say. It was a beautiful place full of beautiful and interesting things. The gardens were lovely and we both enjoyed wandering around.They actually used this house in Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte. An old movie starring Bette Davis.Spent a few hours just taking it all in and I must admit to having a small Scarlett moment while standing on the porch looking down the entranceway........the Guide said that the owner, when he brought the Plantation , told all his slaves to come back the next day as free men and woman and he apparently employed them on the Cane Plantation. He also it seems liked to hold parties so became known as the The Sugar Prince of Louisiana.

Marie Antoinette's Actual Bedside clock

 I have been talking in a Southern Belle accent at Mr Fab today and I really cant print here what he called me while snorting with laughter as small children and sensitive souls may be reading.
An interesting note is Mr Fab and I were quite waspish with each other for the first part of the journey. We chatted about it and decided we were both nervous and unsure of what we are doing and where we are headed. Mr F said all he wanted was to see a map of where he was and where he was going!!!! So we decided to set a goal every night when we stop for the evening. This way we have a clear destination in mind and a set path to take. We can put in Points of Interest and stop along the way to enjoy some of the real America. Tonight we pulled up about 5pm and have settled into a nice hotel in Lafayette Louisiana. We will sort out tomorrows part of the adventure after a cuppa and a shower! The roads so far have been bloody brilliant and there are signs everywhere telling you which exit to take for food or lodgings or interesting things.

Internal Staircase

We are thinking maybe heading to Houston which is about 6 hours away and spending a few days there so we can have a look around. We will update when we have settled in!

Easter Sunday in New Orleans...

Started the day with our usual breaky downstairs then on to another marathon walk. There is so much happening every single minute that you can wander about and see a million interesting things. I had seen trams / cable cars as I am a Melbourne born gal but Mr Fab had never seen them. There was an Easter Parade along Canal then down Bourbon Street so we watched all the floats and people having a good time. They throw out beads and I managed to get some but Mr Fab went all Burly Aussie Male on me and would not put any on. I can tell you now Fab Readers ~ there were chaps far burlier and darker skinned and way scarier than Mr F and they were bedecked and bejeweled!!! The noise is something we have both had to get used to as it never NEVER stops. They also like tooting their horns...alot. We didnt do anything specific ~ just walked and looked. We have started to discuss the Travel Plan as we have no set idea in mind. Just google a map and have a look. Its kinda exciting to think where we will end up over the next two weeks and what we will do!!!
The Grand Canyon is a given and the end goal will be San Fransisco but apart from that? Whatever takes our fancy.

We found out we can do the Plantation Tour on our way out of town for an absolute fraction of the cost so as we are starting early with no firm plans we thought we might take in one of the tours and see how they lived all those years ago....... will check in tomorra ~ after all ~ tomorra is anutha day..........

Pandoras Box of Forever Memories

Our amazing friends gave me a Pandora Bracelet as a memento of our trip. It took me less than a second to recognize each charm for what it meant. I promised to add in every city or State we visit in America. Here is the Updated Bracelet of Memories:

 Left to Right as follows:
Kangaroo ~ Duh Australia *lol*
Spacer in purple ~ again .......a given
Friends forever Butterfly ~ bahahahahahaha I LOVE YOU TO!!!! (she has the other half) Oh my FOREVER is a looonngggggg time.........
Spacer ~ purple
Wedding Cake ~ Marriage in Vegas to Mr Fab
Spacer ~ purple murano glass
Pig Dangle ~ Iowa
Spacer ~ Purple
Plane ~ Flight to the USA
Spacer ~ Black Onyx and gold ( shhh a bit naughty but how cute is it???)
Fleur De Lis ~ New Orleans.

I will update it again when we have visited more states!

Easter in New Orleans ~

After yesterdays wander about we went down to the Jazz Bar downstairs and had a few drinks. Mr Fab was having some rums so I stuck to water. We went for a walk along Bourbon Street and I am going to give a really good shot at trying to convey to you the cacophony of noise,color,people,sights and just general mayhem!!!! We walked for awhile dodging people all carrying drinks and extremely happy!!! We found an Italian Restaurant which looked ok so wandered in and they put us upstairs on the Balcony. Now its interesting to note that you can actually rent a balcony in New Orleans and probably because there is ALWAYS something to see!!!! We settled down and spent the next hour or so having delicious Italian food with exceptional service and just watching. So lets start say 4 balconies away. This is the balcony above The Hustler Club. Out walked the girls wearing tiny bikini tops and with what I am sure was dental floss holding a teeny weeny triangle of cloth over their ladybits. They all wore shoes I would use as a step ladder and hobbled precariously along the balcony although I would suggest it was a "sexy strut?". They then proceeded to yell down to the multitude of young chaps wandering along Bourbon Street and threw down necklaces, T Shirts and medallions which we think must have been tokens for drinks etc. They had a massive crowd gathered under their balcony as they shimmied and waggled their bits all over the place. I realized we had forgotten the camera so you will just have to take my word for it. (**Mr Fab was seriously pleased to note numerous times that it was my request and not his to sit on the balcony)

Tennessee Williams House

After paying the bill ~ and yes we have finally grasped the Tipping thing ~ thanks to M & M ~ we toddled downstairs and just walked up and down Bourbon Street trying to take it all in!!!!!! There were girls who had no tops on and had their boobs painted. They pose for pictures and get tips for that. The chap dressed in a TuTu who posed and got tips. The country singer who let you sing with him ...the drunk lads who thought they could sing....could not. The person dressed head to toe in green grass and flowers. The Students? who were very drunk and managed to get an entire section of the streets shouting "LETS GET WEIRD". The rappers doing rap with an entire street section blocked as they were pretty good. The lads doing the trombone,tuba,sax etc with drums playing really good jazz. Kids Tapping and clapping and taking money. People dressed in ball gowns back down to people wearing a pair of shorts and nothing else!!!! It was AMAZING!!!! We came back to the room and Mr Fab just fell asleep. He said the rums they were giving him tasted really strong and he literally fell asleep straight away. I was watching a show called Say Yes to The Dress Atlanta which was curiously addictive when all of a sudden I could hear really loud music outside so I went to look. So first off came the two huge Police Harley Davidsons with lights flashing, following behind them walking were chaps playing kind of dixieland jazz on various instruments ~ then The Bride and Groom each waving white hankies. Followed by their guests also waving white hankies and following in the rear ~ another police car with lights flashing!!!!!!

After we got up this morning we popped downstairs for some breaky and then started walking again. This time we went to both parts of the St Louis Museum and saw some amazing exhibits and had a chance to also see the Katrina exhibit. I will admit to becoming a bit overwhelmed by the Katrina exhibit as I can clearly see the devastation we as Australians have encountered in our country with the recent floods. This City has rallied and regrouped and they should be pretty darn pleased with how well they seem to have recovered.

The Museum was actually kind of interesting as it also included an exhibit of the Music history of New Orleans. After we had finished there we just walked along to The French Markets and the SteamBoat Wharfs to have a look at the Mighty Mississippi River. Its very brown but bloody enormous!!!!! So many people milling about looking at everything and I cant even begin to describe some of the characters we encountered. Good on them for making a few bucks with something fun!!!! Both of us cant get over how much walking we are doing. We have not really sampled any of the local cuisine as the smell is not very delicious. Both of us have tried but for some reason to us it smells a bit fatty? Its hard to describe. I thought it would be smell spicy but it smells like those dodgy Fish and Chip shops where they have not changed the fat for awhile. Occasionally you get a whiff of something which actually smells amazing and makes your mouth water but we cant pinpoint what it is!!!!!
Tonight we thought we would once again toddle out and just have a look at a place that looks interesting. There are a couple of things we are determined to try while here so I will update if we finally become brave enough!

Random Snaps of Fabulous Does America....

These homes look so tiny on the outside but we have looked on the internet and they are very deceiving. The doors are behind the shutters.

Still decorated from Mardi Gras! The buildings are fascinating and I cant get enough of just looking at them.

Antique Apothecary Jars in a Apothecary Museum.

Just Beautiful! St Louis Cathedral. There was a bride getting snaps done when we were looking.

The Big Easy............

Good afternoon from The Big Easy ~ New Orleans. Downstairs this morning for a bite to eat then onwards for a huge walk around The French Quarter. We started at Dauphine Street where our Hotel is and wandered all the way down to Rampart Street. We found The Louis Armstrong Park and had a good long walk around there. I must be driving Mr Fab crazy as I am constantly taking pictures of the houses and architecture!!! I love love love it. Its all so washed out and grimey I itch to get in and do it all up. In saying that there is a wonderful charm to it all. Mr Fab has started to call me Wanda WorryPants as I am a teeny bit nervous about going to far out of the general area. Our waitress this morning suggested places NOT to go like The Projects. The park was beautiful but again ~ seems to need a good rain or something just to wash it all down if that makes sense? We have come to New Orleans at Easter which in hindsight probably wasnt a good thing as it is packed with students and tourists.

 I cant get enough of the color and the buildings but I have to agree with Mr Fab that it does get a wee bit much after awhile. After the park we checked our map and headed back down to Bourbon Street where I stood gaping like an idiot at the Sex Clubs where .....oh my my my ~ nothing is taboo in The Big Easy * still blinking* Mr F of course just laughed and kept walking!!! We arrived at St Louis Cemetery Number #1 and spent quite awhile walking around looking at that and also stopping to listen to the Guides. One was really good and was telling the story of The Voodoo Queen who was buried there. The graves are all above ground and look like Brick boxes. Some are over the top opulent and some are really sad and falling down. The Voodoo ones are covered in markings ~ XXX which is some kind of offering symbol. They have beads and bottles of alcohol and some even have blue paint splashed all over them.

The Guide made me laugh when he was telling everyone how The Voodoo Queen was known to be a fortune teller and knew everything. He said his research had uncovered the fact she was a Hairdresser so thats probably how she knew everything!
So you buy a plot and then EVERYONE in the family goes in. Thats it ~ everyone!!! There were peoples names going back to the 1700's and right up till 2006. The interesting thing is that even though some of them seemed so messy and uncared for you could see people had visited and left gifts and flowers and made little mounds of bricks in front of a tomb. Obviously the richer folk had ones which were more well maintained.
 Not sure if I would wander about at night and any of the tour guides offer Haunted Tours .....for a price.
After we had finished there we walked up to Pirates Alley and had a look through the little odd stores there. That led to St Louis Cathedral which was beautiful. We had planned to go to the Louisiana Museum but it was closed and would reopen tomorrow so thats on the cards for Saturday.

 We are sitting in our room with the balcony doors open just listening to the sounds and noise from the street below. I just asked Mr Fab what he thought of New Orleans and as he said
 " He is glad we came just so he can say he has been able to see it". I wish I could properly convey the sights and sounds of this town. I think it is one of those places you would have to see for yourself. I have never seen or heard or experienced anything like it so I am having trouble explaining to you Fab readers. I have always wanted to see New Orleans and the images I had gathered in my head ( which can be a vaguely scarey place at the best of times) well ~ it absolutely looks like I thought it would although a bit grittier?
We decided to have a rest then head out again later this afternoon. We thought we might go down to The Jazz Bar and just chill and take in everything offered!!!!

Cue serious Blues music.......New Orleans..

We have arrived. Oh yeah now Babe ~ oh yeah. We are smack bang in the middle of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Right so whats the Fab take on it all? Hmmmm bit kind of in need of a wash but it kind of all seems to fade away as sights and sounds bombard you from every direction. Our first stop was the Hotel and up to the room as we both had serious serious pounding headaches from flying with United Airlines. Yep they are United ~ United in making your journey across the great country of the United States of America ...as dreadful and time consuming and staggeringly awful as they possibly can. And yes Fab Readers ~ all with a smarmy smirk on their self righteous faces. Ohhhhhh I am so cross with that company I cannot begin to tell you. I have however told THEM in a note. Going by the level of non service we received I would say they would either bin it or use it as a joke email to send to each other.........Or as a Training Aid in their Staff Incentive Course : How To Be The Worst Airline On The Planet.
Rude United Employee #1: Hey man didya see the email from that stoopid Aussie?
Ruder United Employee # 2: Yeah thats the one I kept telling her with no inflection or caring that it was SHE who missed the flight NOT the fact the plane sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes and we made her run maybe a mile?
Even Ruder and More Non Give A Shit United Employee #3: No way ~ that was the one I told in my most BEST bored voice she could try and make her flight but we wouldnt hold it
Do you get the drift dear readers? Dear god these people just dont care at all.!!! We actually were a little staggered as to HOW incredibly bad they are??? Keep in mind we are Australian so our expectations are not all that high to begin with!!!! NEVER NEVER FLY UNITED AIRLINES AMERICA FOLKS ~ If you listen to me at all...DONT. To be fair ~ we initially thought the first lot of Cluster flights was a one time thing but ohhhh no ~ it wasnt.
My personal favourite ~ bless her ~ was the woman at United Customer Service *rolls on ground kicking legs in air larfing @ "United Customer Service"* She actually smirked at me and then raised her eyebrow waiting for me to THANK her for checking the replacement flights were done????????????? Seriously??????????? Anyway ~ I digress as I do constantly so onward to the Fabulous Town of New Orleans!!!!!!

 WOW!!! Its noise noise and more noise. Old cobbled footpaths mixed with new ones, color oh my so much color!!! A never ending stream of noise and color. We walked up Daphine Street to Bourbon then down to Canal Street. Mr Fab decided he wanted to try an American hotdog from a vendor. The vendor had a ciggie hanging out of his mouth and mumbled something which sounded like $6. I thought ~ No way is a bloody single hotdog in a bun with sauce $6.....WRONG. Yep it was $6 so we have had an American $6 hotdog from a vendor....our lifes work is complete. *cough* Moving on. I had the camera out as there was interesting things happening every couple of feet. The kids on the corners can get a bit annoying and a little nerve wracking as well. On one street corner they literally take up the entire corner and play drums, tubas and other instruments. A couple of the lads walk around with big cardboard boxes which you are expected to put money in and the other guys play.

There were also 2 young kids with Taps on the bottom of their sneakers. They would stand in front of couples walking and start tapping frantically. The sad part is they were not that much better than me. Mr Fab reckons I think I am Ginger Rogers but seriously the kids just tap away till the couple give them money. There are also people just leaning against the shops asking for money. We are also pretty sure after our short walk that they do love to be a bit naughty here in New Orleans. Sex shops and Naughty shops every couple of feet along with the normal T shirt and souvenir shops. Everything looks incredibly old which I spose comes from Katrina and the damage that was done then. We are both still shaking off these blasted flus so we have come back to the room to relax and plan the day tomorrow. (Travel Lesson: Get a flu shot prior to leaving)

We are leaning toward a Cruise or a tour of a plantation. Not sure which but I reckon I am safe in saying we will bloody well pay for it!!! It seems New Orleans is not the place to go on a budget!!! We have our map of the city and some info on tours etc so we will settle down and figure out what to do. A good nights sleep and a hot shower (which we have already had) and start a fresh day in this hectic madcap city of life!!!!