What a trip!
I just spend a great weekend in the "Big Easy", Yes New Orleans. First let me say that airfare and accommodations were provided. Airfare wasn't so great the accommodations were excellent. I haven't flown in 20 years and this trip reminded mt why. Flying sucks. Give me my car and some gas money and let me go. I arrived at the airport at 7:15 am and was scheduled to arrive in New Orleans at 11:05 am. Didn't happen. I arrived at the hotel at 3:45 pm. It only takes about 7 hours to drive from San Antonio to New Orleans so the wasted time at the airport was annoying.
My flight was originally scheduled from San Antonio to Dallas then Dallas to New Orleans. After a 35 minute delay they loaded us all on the plane. Once we were all settled in and comfy, they decided that those of us going to New Orleans would not make our connection. Considering it was a 45 minute flight, they boarded us at 9:00am and our connection was scheduled to leave Dallas at 9:50 am, I'm thinking that should have been evident BEFORE we boarded. So we all got reassigned to a different flight through Houston. Common sense would have told me going directly east through Houston made more sense than a trip north to Dallas only to come back down south, but then again I don't make the reservations. So after another hour delay I boarded my flight to Houston. Guess what another 2 hour delay in the form of a layover. Driving was sounding better and better at that point. When I did get to New Orleans I had another 45 minute wait for the shuttle to take me to the hotel. I was definitely out of sorts for my arrival at my hotel, but things improved from there.
Well as I said things really improved once I reached the hotel. We stayed in the heart of the French Quarter at Hotel Monteleone. We are talking swanky. They have a doorman on duty 24 hours, concierge and all of the amenities you could want. But I guess the real "sign" of class is the gold seal they put on the toilet paper to show it hasn't been used, go figure! I spent quite a bit of time at the rooftop pool/garden. A bar is right there at poolside so you can order daquaris and hurricanes.
The street noise was a little loud but could have been worse if we were on Bourbon street, instead we were a block away. So we didn't have all the party noise. But we still had a lot of foot traffic going from bar to bar. And in the morning you had to be cautious of beads laying around on the streets and sidewalks if you were an early riser.
But there was more than the seven night a week parties to enjoy. Lots of shopping right in the Quarter and the food was tremendous. Street musicians playing jazz and zydeco on the street corners. And tours of all types. I took the walking tour of the cemetary and voodoo temple. It was a bit long but educational. The cemetary was very interesting and was the basis for a great history lesson. I would recommend a visit to New Orleans to anyone.
The food was wonderful. It seemed as if I ate 24 hours a day. Luckily I was walking everywhere so hopefully that counteracted the calories. A couple of recommendations for food. Cafe Beignet For breakfast. They were very reasonably priced and the Cafe au Lait was wonderful. For lunch and dinner there are restaurants all over the place and the cajun and creole fare is spicy and flavorful. And the prices are much better than the hotel prices.
I would tell you to book your hotel somewhere else though. It's very expensive to stay in the Quarter. Our room rate was $499 per night not including incidentals like internet access. Also the cost of food in the hotel was outrageous. $40 for a breakfast buffet for two people and Lobster Thermidore was not on the menu.
Now for the really great event of my trip. I have a friend who lives in New Orleans and he made a point to take me around the city my last night there. We stopped in a little tavern in the Garden District(The historical American part of town) about 11:30 for a beer and some nachos (yes I left Texas and went to Louisiana to eat Mexican food). About 30 minutes after we arrived, actor and comedian DL Hughley came in with his entourage to grab a bite. Although I didn't get an autograph he did sit at the table next to ours. I didn't ask for an autograph since he had been totally disgusted by another patron who had spent a bit too much time in the Bourbon Street bars already and her behavior proved it.
The flight back was just as annoying as the flight there so I have crossed air travel off my list for the next 20 years. But another trip to New Orleans is definitely in my future!
My flight was originally scheduled from San Antonio to Dallas then Dallas to New Orleans. After a 35 minute delay they loaded us all on the plane. Once we were all settled in and comfy, they decided that those of us going to New Orleans would not make our connection. Considering it was a 45 minute flight, they boarded us at 9:00am and our connection was scheduled to leave Dallas at 9:50 am, I'm thinking that should have been evident BEFORE we boarded. So we all got reassigned to a different flight through Houston. Common sense would have told me going directly east through Houston made more sense than a trip north to Dallas only to come back down south, but then again I don't make the reservations. So after another hour delay I boarded my flight to Houston. Guess what another 2 hour delay in the form of a layover. Driving was sounding better and better at that point. When I did get to New Orleans I had another 45 minute wait for the shuttle to take me to the hotel. I was definitely out of sorts for my arrival at my hotel, but things improved from there.
Well as I said things really improved once I reached the hotel. We stayed in the heart of the French Quarter at Hotel Monteleone. We are talking swanky. They have a doorman on duty 24 hours, concierge and all of the amenities you could want. But I guess the real "sign" of class is the gold seal they put on the toilet paper to show it hasn't been used, go figure! I spent quite a bit of time at the rooftop pool/garden. A bar is right there at poolside so you can order daquaris and hurricanes.
The street noise was a little loud but could have been worse if we were on Bourbon street, instead we were a block away. So we didn't have all the party noise. But we still had a lot of foot traffic going from bar to bar. And in the morning you had to be cautious of beads laying around on the streets and sidewalks if you were an early riser.
But there was more than the seven night a week parties to enjoy. Lots of shopping right in the Quarter and the food was tremendous. Street musicians playing jazz and zydeco on the street corners. And tours of all types. I took the walking tour of the cemetary and voodoo temple. It was a bit long but educational. The cemetary was very interesting and was the basis for a great history lesson. I would recommend a visit to New Orleans to anyone.
The food was wonderful. It seemed as if I ate 24 hours a day. Luckily I was walking everywhere so hopefully that counteracted the calories. A couple of recommendations for food. Cafe Beignet For breakfast. They were very reasonably priced and the Cafe au Lait was wonderful. For lunch and dinner there are restaurants all over the place and the cajun and creole fare is spicy and flavorful. And the prices are much better than the hotel prices.
I would tell you to book your hotel somewhere else though. It's very expensive to stay in the Quarter. Our room rate was $499 per night not including incidentals like internet access. Also the cost of food in the hotel was outrageous. $40 for a breakfast buffet for two people and Lobster Thermidore was not on the menu.
Now for the really great event of my trip. I have a friend who lives in New Orleans and he made a point to take me around the city my last night there. We stopped in a little tavern in the Garden District(The historical American part of town) about 11:30 for a beer and some nachos (yes I left Texas and went to Louisiana to eat Mexican food). About 30 minutes after we arrived, actor and comedian DL Hughley came in with his entourage to grab a bite. Although I didn't get an autograph he did sit at the table next to ours. I didn't ask for an autograph since he had been totally disgusted by another patron who had spent a bit too much time in the Bourbon Street bars already and her behavior proved it.
The flight back was just as annoying as the flight there so I have crossed air travel off my list for the next 20 years. But another trip to New Orleans is definitely in my future!
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Comments (3)
Cheryl Baumgartner12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
I did collect my share of Mardi Gras beads and didn't even have to flash for them. It's not like I'm a young nubile 20 something anymore although I can pass for a 30 something! I'm still trying to figure out if it was a bribe to keep 'em covered LOL!
Jeff Greene8
Online Marketing Specialist/Consultant
I was a victim of The Big Easy about a good twenty years or so ago... Believe me 'cuz I still don't recall much of anything except the heat, the food, the drinks-- Some topless ladies and maybe a bit of the drive back home.... My buddies ain't talkin' either so, I'm guessing that we must have had ''One Helluva Time!" LOL! :)
As for flying-- It's a wonder that these yokels are in business at all...