Her Name Was NOLA
Posted By Kristabella on July 1, 2009
I’m back from New Orleans. And any of you that follow me on Twitter are well aware of the good time I had. I really should step away from my phone when I’ve been drinking. Especially when I’ve had many, many rum-filled drinks.
I love New Orleans. I imagine I now know how people feel about Las Vegas. See, I don’t love Las Vegas. I don’t gamble, so that isn’t fun. I don’t really enjoy the clubs anymore these days, plus I don’t like to pay $20 to get into places. I also like my booze cheap and plentiful, which is impossible in Vegas.
But NOLA, oh NOLA, I heart it so much. I say this after spending four days there at the end of June. When the temperatures were in the mid-90s with like 80% humidity. Even in those temperatures, I still love it. (I also can’t complain about humidity in Chicago anymore because 40% is NOTHING compared to New Orleans.)
I enjoyed myself immensely. I ate well. I tried to see as much as I could in the little time I had. I think I saw and experienced all the city had to offer and I fell in love with it. Although, like Vegas, four days was like one too many and I was ready to get home and let my liver recuperate.
Saturday, once I landed, after standing in the world’s longest line for an airport shuttle, I decided to get some lunch and start exploring the city. I ate lunch at Mother’s (as recommended by Regan) and had a po’boy. It was deee-licious!
After lunch, I traipsed around the French Quarter. I OF COURSE ordered a beer because you can drink on the street there! Even at 2 o’clock in the afternoon! And you’re definitely never drinking alone in this city! THIS IS WHAT ET MUST HAVE FELT LIKE WHEN HE RETURNED TO HIS SHIP!
I had pre-ordered tickets for the walking tour of the Garden District. I really wanted to be sure I saw that part of New Orleans, and this was the best way to see it all. It was a Haunted tour, which means they showed us the houses that are haunted and told ghost stories. I was afraid it would be cheesy, but it wasn’t. Our tour guide Carla was AWESOME and really loves her job.
And how could you not love walking past houses like this every day?
After the tour, I took a street car back to the hotel and got ready to go to dinner. I went with two of my co-workers and we had a great time. I got my palm read and a tarot card reading (more about that tomorrow) and then we began our Hurricane drinking. Whoever commented that Hurricanes were gross, you were wrong. I know everyone has their own tastes, but fruit juice and lots of booze? SIGN ME UP! And they are potent! They taste like fruit punch. Which is probably why I ended up trying to bump and grind random, unsuspecting dudes at the bar.
Sunday was the start of the trade show, and the reason I was in town. Our booth was near the Careerbuilder booth. On Sunday night, they had Top Chefs cooking at their booth. I spotted them the MINUTE I walked into the convention center and then about pissed myself from excitement.
Thankfully they were all so nice! Even Casey, who I was convinced would be a bitch! And Brian was ADORABLE in person! I forgave him for all those fucking ceviches. AND BLAIS! I actually yelled out BLAIS when I saw him. Clearly, I watch too much damn reality television.
I was so nervous to talk to them, but my co-worker forced me to take my photo with them. I’m so glad she did!
(You can see the rest of my photos here.)
After Sunday night, Careerbuilder had nothing as exciting, except a cute guy named Brendan. Who I stared at inappropriately for a few days. And then Twittered drunkenly about him. Not realizing that Careerbuilder is ON TWITTER. Let’s hope they don’t know how to use the search function.
On Monday night, after an early dinner, I went back to the hotel and realized that sitting in your hotel room at 7:45 PM on your last night in New Orleans was not allowed. So I decided to go out and get some souvenirs for my niece and nephews. And since I just happened to end up at a store down the street from Pat O’Briens, I figured since there was no line, I really had to go in and have an official Hurricane.
While there, I started chatting up the people sitting next to me. One Hurricane and a shot later, I was partying with them on Bourbon Street and having a freaking blast! I ended up drinking way too much, shaking my ass and thanking Twitter for telling me to get my ass out to the French Quarter that night! It was INSANE! Total New Orleans experience!
Before I left town, I made sure to have some beignets from Cafe Du Monde (HOLY CRAP THOSE ARE SO FUCKING GOOD!). And I pretty much decided that my bachelorette party (which according to the psychic will happen one day, and soon) will be held in NOLA. I already found the hotel we’re staying at. Save up now ladies!
And then I realized that the Tony Bennett song is so wrong, I didn’t leave my heart in San Francisco, I left it in NOLA. And I can’t wait to get back there so we can be reunited.
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Wow! Sounds like so much fun!!!!!!
I think you should ALWAYS keep your phone with you when you drink! Your tweets were hysterical!!! Glad you had fun!!
.-= Jules´s last blog ..Blogger Therapists Needed =-.
I missed you and your posts!!!
I think I’m missing out by not following you on Twitter!
yes. go and get yourself engaged.
I really want to go to new orleans 😉
(my brother is single but he’s, like, 24….)
.-= ali´s last blog ..Oh, and this was Wednesday. =-.
And now you have your Christmas card photo, I presume? The question is, which one will you choose?
.-= Jen on the Edge´s last blog ..Sharing the biking love =-.
Wwo you had a blast. How’s the liver?
.-= christina´s last blog ..Just a matter of weeks =-.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane! New Orleans is my favorite city! I just love the mystery and beauty of it all. Oh how I yearn to return. Glad you had a great time!
I told you Cafe du Monde was AWESOME! OMG I want some beignets like now.
Adding NOLA onto my flight benefits list. I think we will be going there for my birthday this year. Come on January!
.-= Raven´s last blog ..ch-ch-ch-changes =-.
I want to go to NOLA!!!!
I want to go to there.
.-= Angella´s last blog ..I’m Gonna Soak Up The Sun =-.
So glad you had a great time, I’ve never been before and this definitely makes me want to go.
And that photo of you grindin’ is priceless! You’d definitely be a fun one to dance with. 🙂
.-= Cass´s last blog ..Chocolate starfish, and the hot dog flavored water =-.
Gah! I love that place and haven’t been in soooo long.
Ahhhh, beingets. Makes my mouth water just thinking about them. So glad that ‘Nawlins’ is put back together enough that it is, once more, enjoyable.
.-= lceel´s last blog ..A Little Unhappy =-.
i love this post!!! i went to nawlins with a girlfriend years back.. she got SUPER SICK the day we got there and left the next morning. i think i had at least 3 more days there alone. HA.. i went out and did everythign i planned on doing… alone. but it was awesome. i made friends! i did all the things you did- i freaking LOVE those tours! they’re so interesting and so historical… things you would never know otherwise, or even care to know really. i loved new orleans.. totally want to go back! can’t wait for your wedding. LOL
.-= jennster´s last blog ..i bitch a lot =-.
i mean bachelorette party!
.-= jennster´s last blog ..i bitch a lot =-.
I’m so jealous! I’ve always wanted to experience N’Orleans. I’m glad you went out the last night, it seems like one of those cities where you can go out alone and find people to party with. Huzzah!
.-= Amanda Nicole´s last blog ..July 1 =-.
Where I an temporarily leaving down here (2 1/2 years now) on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (between Pass Christian and Long Beach), I am an hour and 10 minutes from the French Quarter, and the Cafe du Monde. I love going over there and spending time, snapping candids, tasting the food, and seeing sights I haven’t seen before. When I eventually get back up to southern Wisconsin, near Madison, I will really miss that place and being so close to be able to spend time there.
was over there about 3 Saturdays ago, for the Creole Tomato Festival, which ended up being 3 festivals. I did a post on it you might find interesting: http://coastrat.wordpress.com/2009/06/14/saturday-fun-at-the-nola-creole-tomato-festival/
Glad you had a good time! The next time you have lunch with Ree (Ms. Hot), please give her a hug for me, would you?
.-= Coast Rat´s last blog ..Happy 41st Anniversary, Blond Girl! =-.
I went to NOLA for the first time last fall and already can’t wait until the next time we go. And we will return … just to eat! I know I had some yummy food and drinks (including those beignets and hurricanes), but seriously? Meeting cheftestants while in NOLA? I don’t think anything can top that! Glad you had a great time. 🙂
P.S. When you return for your bachelorette party, I totally recommend having drinks at the rotating Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone.
.-= Ann Marie´s last blog ..The Book Challenge: Spring Recap =-.
NOLA!!! LOOOOOVE NOLA! Beignets and hurricanes…oh, I want to go back! Did you go to the piano bar where the blind guy plays tin platters with thimbles on his fingers? Is he still alive??? Did you eat crawfish???
I’m totally coming to your bachelorette party there.
(PS: I heart you!)
.-= Jess Riley´s last blog ..Leaving on a Jet Plane =-.
We went to NOLA for our honeymoon and had an INSANELY good time. Great city. Great People Amazing Food
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..The Envelope Please…. =-.
I totally want to go. I love walking around outside with adult beverages.
.-= Rhi´s last blog ..Friday Bullets: I’m the Boss Around Here Edition =-.
Had I seen your picture w/ Blais before I twittered about going to FLiP, I would’ve found a way to print it and get it signed for you. Or at least use it as a good line to introduce myself via iPhone… and then make the bf take a picture of us.
Also, you’re picture of randomly bumping on that boy at the bar should be your new profile picture. Hilarious!
Aw, I am from the New Orleans area and I love reading about people’s visits there! So glad you had a great time!
.-= Honeymooner´s last blog ..Newsflash =-.
The one place I’d really love to go in the US is New Orleans. I’m so jealous!
.-= Jennie´s last blog ..Happy Fourth of July! =-.
Tell me you didn’t have an early flight out, right?
.-= Ree´s last blog ..Haiku Friday – The July 4th, er…3rd Edition =-.
I loved your Tweets during your trip – it was like being along! Also, I have a bunch of family (of the in-law type) that live in the Garden District – I just think that area of NOLA is beautiful. I’m so glad you loved it! If you were every planning a trip there – I would so plan to be there at the same time. That city has my heart (but it doesn’t have my hair thanks to that damn humidity). By the way, I love you hair in the pictures! You are rocking those bangs!
.-= TUWABVB´s last blog ..5 Star Friday =-.
I saw an ENTIRE EPISODE of…something on the Food Network about those beignets, and I swear, I told Jarred that we needed to book flights to NOLA RIGHT THEN, so as to acquire said beignets.
.-= metalia´s last blog ..Oh, Bollocks. =-.
I think you just took my perfect vacation. Though I admit I spaced out after you said beignets. My brain drifted to warm pastry and powdered sugar and hasn’t yet returned.
.-= Moose´s last blog ..Too Bad I Can’t Eat Cheesecake Any More =-.
Who knew that Casey was so little?! Richard Blais is my hometown hero. I have a pic with him, too. He’s just adorable. Glad you enjoyed NO. 🙂