New Orleans: Land of Merriment

 New Orleans, Yeay!!

This was totally a trip to remember. Are you familiar with Red District in Amsterdam? I have never been there, but I heard about Red District before. A place where debauchery is a common thing. New Orleans (for me) was like Red District of The United States. It wasn't as frontal as the one in Amsterdam, I am sure. But you would still see the joy, merry, gay (happy and gay gay), festivity, cheerfulness, vibrant, and a lot more other things. There is no place like New Orleans.
New Orleans <- Official Guide

Pop-up Musics

It was suppose to be fall season, but it feels like summer in New Orleans. I changed my outfit in the car earlier to summer jumpsuit dress that I got for free in American Eagle store, thanks to a friend.

Let me tell you something I learned on this trip, New Orleans is the only French Colony area that still adopts the French Governmental system. All the buildings, houses, foods, etc in New Orleans resembles French on the old era (I think, what do I know, never been to France either).

Jail Looking place

One of the Parks in New Orleans

Cute Houses

The thing about New Orleans is that they are quite open minded to homosexuality which is good. They respect gay(s), lesbians, and bi(s) there. They even put on a certain color flags on the street or on their house that symbolize their respect for the LGBT community.

Strip Bar?

Red District of USA

Right before we entered New Orleans, I already plan to eat Lousiana Crab. Last time I wanted to eat one in Holy Crab Jakarta but it was super expensive. I only bought the local mud crab and it cost me Rp.600.000. Crazy right!!?

We went to the restaurant that the nice lady in Rest Area told us to check, apparently they don't have the crab that I was looking for. The waitress lady told us to go to the Crazy Lobster next to River Walk Mall. I was so surprise that this lady was super nice to told me where to go. She also reminded us that the price will be expensive. Well, I came prepared. So it was not a big deal. It wouldn't be as expensive as Holy Crab, I am sure.

We were lost on Bourbon Street, so we had to ask one of those guides who stayed on a box. Tourist can come over, ask them questions, or get a booklet. He told us the direction and said "Good Luck!" as if making sure that the price would be expensive. We were having a doubt at this point. People seems to think the price in Crazy Lobster will be expensive. Now, we are worried.

The Crazy Lobster

We still went anyway. I ordered Snow Crab for $23.99 (Rp.290.000) still twice cheaper than the one from Holy Crab. Boyfriend ordered Po Boy special sandwich for $13.99 (Rp.190.000). We were worried that the price was gonna be super expensive. It is kinda expensive, the normal price for foods in Southern area would be around $5-$10. It was totally worth all the money tho!!
Crazy Lobster

Truly yummy and jaw dropping portion of Snow Crabs (Louisiana Crab)

One of New Orleans special delicacy: Po Boy

We saw some attraction near Crazy Lobster. It was the bull machine that we have to ride and stay on top as long as possible. The guy gave me 2 chances and I failed miserably on both times. The bull was not even on a difficult mode. It was an easy ride (said the operator guy). On my defense, I never ride one (fake or real).  It was pretty empty at first but my screams was so loud that people started to gather around the area, seems like they had a good laugh. One boy was actually wanting to try, but after the mother saw the bull throw me. She said No firmly and dragged the boy. Poor kid hahaha.

paid 2 pennies for using this telescope

Knocked out by the Bull

Give a hug to the evil looking bull. Thanks for the ride, Bull Bull!

We decided to go to River Walk Mall next to the Tour Boat Terminal (or something like that). Boyfriend said he really wanted to eat Beignet, is the French term for a pastry made fromdeep-fried choux paste.^[2] Beignets are commonly known in New Orleans as a breakfast served with powdered sugar on top. He said the best Beignet in town is in Cafe Du Monde, one of the oldest cafe ever open in America. Cafe

The Beignet was warm, fluffy, delicious, and right amount of sweets.

Beignet from Cafe Du Monde

After all the foods, we decided to walk around in French Market and bought some trinkets for my friends and walk around in French Quarter, Bourbon Street, etc. 

Funny things happened when I was walking. A manly looking lady (pretty sure she is a she, maybe the manly one in the relationship) came to me and touched my hand and flirt with me. She said "Hey, how are ya, pretty!?" and smiled brightly. She said something about going out with her. I said "haha (awkwardly), thanks!" and ran to my boyfriend, immediately cling to his hand. Originally, I am not homophobic. I actually feel flattered when anyone check me out (men or women). But she was drank and looks kinda creepy.

We had a good laugh about it. While I was roaming around in New Orleans, I was hoping to spot The Originals (Spin off from Vampire Diaries) cast. I am really into Claus. I saw some of the places that appeared on the series, but Claus or any Originals and other vampires was no where to be seen.

One of the Shooting Locations for The Originals

Unfortunately, we had to leave before it gets too dark. I was actually hoping to join one of the tours. New Orleans is also famous for their witch, vampire, werewolf, and other dark creatures. They actually have designed tour (a make believe world) for Vampires, Werewolves, Witch, etc. I saw some voodoo store along the way, but too scaredy cat to actually went inside.

A day was not enough, because at night in New Orleans will be even more festive. I am definitely going back, but next time we will stay in one of those french looking houses.

Written in Voodoo store

PS: Some of the available Night Tours

Haunted History Tours
Spirit Town
Witches Brew Tours
Magic Tours Nola
French Quarter Panthom (Including vampires,  werewolves, other night creatures)