Day 37 - Lake Charles to New Orleans

Today, we arrived in New Orleans, LA, and are staying at the Hotel Provincial, just a block from Bourbon Street. We were tired when we arrived, so decided to relax for a while and then take a bus tour of New Orleans. Saw the French Quarter, which wasn't badly damaged during the hurricane, and then traveled to the areas most damaged by the hurricane. You can't imagine the amount of damage to this city. Still a lot of homes that are uninhabitable, but things are getting better.

The federal government and insurance companies have been so lax in responding, but the people are strong and will survive. We saw some of the project homes that Brad Pitt has been working to get completed and built, and they are very modern in design, with solar panels on the roofs, and, of course, they are all on raised reinforced piers.

We had had torrential rain during the night before we left Lake Charles, but fortunately, no rain during the drive. Interstate 10 coming into Louisiana was limited to 60 mph for quite a few miles. These stretches of highway were actually bridges that lasted for miles over swamplands and water. According to the GPS, we finally hit 0 feet above sea level. With parts of New Orleans actually below seal level, we plan to keep an eye on the weather forecasts... K

Our night in Lake Charles was something. No restaurants just fast food chains, if you haven't had a taco salad at Taco Bell, don't rush in. We were told we had tickets for a free drink at happy hour so thought that might lighten the day. Arrived at the club house to find one patron sitting at the bar eating Nachos and Lethal Weapon 2 on the TV. He offered to have the sound turned down but we declined. Remember when Mel Gibson was young, handsome, married to wife number 1 and hadn't been arrested for a DUI? Place was as cheerful as a wake, all they needed was the Banshee wailers.

New Orleans is wonderful, staying in the French Quarter in a lovely place. Today plan to walk about the city, stop by Cafe du Monde for a beignet and chickory coffee, see the artists wares. Ken wants to go to the River Walk, kind of a mall so will do that too. I think he wants a po'boy sandwich.
Last night had dinner at Irene's, tried to get into Stellas but couldn't be seated until 10 PM too late for us. Irenes' was delicious, had to sit in the piano bar for an hour before a table available, but such a nice place and piano music was very good. Then into dining room, very little space but made such nice aquaintances at the tables adjoining us. Ken had pasta, I had fish, then split a praline desert, way too delicious!! Ken wants to go back tonight! S