New Orleans is not the South: NOLA Post-Mortem

We made it back to Seattle on Sunday night with some good times and long days behind us. Luckily my friend Dave Stitcher came through with some great hook ups for the weekend. Through some friends of his, we were able to stay in the French Quarter for the weekend for 50 bucks- and we had a condo with a balcony and all- so nice. Then we met his friends and went to bars, restaurants and Jazzfest with those folks- who helped us see New Orleans through their eyes. Once again, it’s knowing good people that make life easier.

I’d have to say that I see New Orleans in a different and cooler light than I used to. As Dave said a few times- New Orleans is not the South. I’m a southern boy and I do love the South, but I really don’t think that New Orleans is representative of it’s geographic location. It seems like an island or another world plopped down on the gulf of Mexico. The locals don’t even have the sweet southern drawl that you’d expect- it is really more similar to a Brooklyn accent- believe it or not. You hear the accent called “Yat”- as is “Where yat?”. Apparently one reason is because New York and New Orleans received immigrants from Europe around the same time and the accents evolved similarly. Also, you don’t find sweet tea in New Orleans- which may the biggest indicator of not being Southern. Lastly, the population doesn’t seem to represent the culture of the south in the same way. From meeting locals to seeing everyone at Jazzfest, I was surprised to see so few good ole boys with mullets, Oakley blades and NASCAR tee shirts. I expected many more of these folks.

Oh boy and then there is the whole Bourbon street scene. Everyone should experience Bourbon Street during a festival at some point- there can’t be another place like that in the world. Of course it’s all related to good ole fashion debauchery. It amazes me what people will do for beads. I call it the bead economy. Nudity is bought and sold for beads on Bourbon Street- I swear someone could do a study on how beads are the social currency of those few blocks. I was happy to see at least 6-8 flashers myself. 

I’ve never seen alcohol flow the way it does there. First, drinking on the street is legal- so you can get your beer to go. Second, it’s cheap. I’m still not sure why, but you can get a 64 oz. beer there. Anyone who’s ever drank a 40oz. beer knows that the other 24ozs are nothing but warm flat backwash. We started many nights with the famous Hurricanes at Pat O’Brian’s.

I could go on, but why not say it pictures? Here is a selection of pictures that I like from the trip:

Here's Dave, me and Sachiko on Friday seeing the band Won Ton Lust outdoors at the Southport (I think that's the name).

The "Dave's friend discount" condo- that window open to the balcony. Man that place rocks.

My favorite picture. We were playing pool at a local joint (The Mayfair) and these guys rolled in with suits on (at 12:30 Am!) and proceeded to be total tools. Here is Dave reluctantly getting schooled on the ins and outs of "New Orleans Rules" pool.

Ah and Dave and Macon at Jazzfest. We got to know Macon well- he's a fellow healthcare administration nerd.