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I am immersed in colours so bright and beautiful, people so rich in diversity and in spirit, and music so fabulous I can barely stop smiling. New Orleans has got something so special about it and I realized this after I've only been here a few hours! It was a delicious introduction to the NOLA culture our first night at Kermit Ruffins Mother In Law Lounge. A hole in the wall bar covered in bright jazzy murals, the place was packed out. Included in your cover charge was a bowl of Kermits red beans and rice, a hearty flavourful stick to your bones kind of meal. Kermit himself was amongst the crowd while they all filed in and he was so welcoming. His little bar became a lively jazz jam with a great band and guest musicians and singers coming up thru the set. Kermit became familiar to us thru the series Treme, but he is a local institution. We were enlightened to the culture quickly!
We have been walking all over town, thru a famous New Orleans cemetery with above ground tombs and then into the French quarter and bourbon street and Frenchman street where the famous jazz clubs are. NOLA is alive with people, music and lights, but some of it is really touristy and other corners are just so authentic my eyeballs bulge at the sight of it. Tonight around 10:30pm, as we trickled out of the Spotted Cat Bar from a lively jazz session, we were greeted by a second line band playing their brass so loud in front of the fried chicken joint we snacked in. A little boy slept in his daddy's arms while he blew his trumpet alongside the trombone, tuba and drums. The street was filled with locals dancing and visitors like us gazing in awe while awkwardly trying to keep a beat.
Regardless, it has been my favourite part of New Orleans....the music that is. It makes me feel alive. I have forgotten my problems. Even in the midst of a crazy storm today that was quite devastating to the south east states, I am very aware of how lucky I am to travel to corners of the world to see incredible places like this. While we were hunkered down this morning in the wild rain that flooded our street, further north several tornadoes touched down and destroyed homes. Nine lives were lost. It might be the tipping point for me and I am not sure how to behave.
But here is the sweet spot that helped me find the balance today. As we left a venue this afternoon a familiar woman was selling items for donations to the 9th Ward Women's Shelter. This woman made a documentary during Katrina called Trouble the Water. It was one of the first inspirations for me to visit New Orleans. I got to meet her today and support her cause....one near my heart. Women rising up. Women overcoming. And she gave me a copy of the film. So y'all get ready to come over for grits when we get home so you can watch it with me.
- comments
North Vancouver, BC Heather
Great post for your first blog - New Orleans. Sounds like an emotional and inspirational first couple of days!