This morning, we awoke to a bitterly cold morning. As well clothed as our wardrobe would allow, we set off for breakfast. The wind chill factor was high. We were freezing - and multiple cups of coffee made no impression!!
We purchased a Jazzy pass for the street cars - $3 for the day. We decided to use this means of transport to see the city and remain warm. As we boarded, a group of teenage students and their teacher boarded too. Immediately, the driver informed them that they would have to give up their seat if anyone over 35 got in!! One smart Alec asked if the person was 34 at which time the teacher replied if I give you the eye, you get up. Dublin bus / Luas take note!
The first journey took us along the main hub of the modern city - Canal street - final stop the cemeteries !! Next we journeyed along the Mississippi - very scenic .
We took the next journey to the Amtrax Depot to indulge the transport enthusiast among us.
Finally, we took a trip along Charles Avenue. This had been recommended as a journey through upmarket New Orleans and indeed it was.... Huge houses, as one would see in the best southern movies, graced the former plantation, with their rocking chairs on the veranda. It is so cold today that many of their garden plants were covered in plastic to protect them from the frost. The area wax graced by many private schools andLoyola University.
It was interesting to observe that most of the people gracing this area were white while the population of the city as a whole is predominantly black - I assume descendants of the African slaves, who once worked the plantations hereabouts.
They claimed the Charles Ave street car, which commenced service in 1835, was the oldest continuous suburban railway in the world but they are mistaken .... Dublin to Dunlaoghaire (formerly Kingstown) has that honour, as it opened the year before in 1834 !
Having completed our tour of the street car system, we returned to the hotel.
Tonight, we left for the Red Snapper Gril. On the way, we stopped in at The Old Absinthe, a former forge, is reputed to be the oldest bar in N. O. We met a couple from Oklahoma, who informed us that tonight was the bi - centennial of the defeat of the British by the French in N. O. We had seen a fireworks display earlier in the evening and suspected so.
Another, man joined us - he was from Ohio and was dressed in the French Infantry uniform of the period. He had driven from Ohio with a cannon and a number of uniforms. His wife had flown down to join him. He and his friends are re-creating battle scenes tomorrow - unfortunately we must depart early tomorrow.
We were to go to the Rooseveldt Hotel, the oldest hotel in NO to sample the original sacerdote cocktail devised. For research you understand, dear reader, I tasted the Planter's Punch cocktail at the Absinthe but on arrival at the Rooseveldt, though it was a beautiful hotel , neither of the bars had the ambience to attract one to sit and enjoy the cocktail.
We adjourned to our hotel.
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