New Orleans Mini Vacation

{Best alligator video. Trust me}

Warning: Photo heavy post!

I can't even begin to explain how much I loved New Orleans. Like, its serious.

It all started with a phone call between Kim and I. We started talking about how we needed to meet up again, since we hadn't seen each other since NYC last November. We were talking about vacation time and locations. We talked Seattle, Chicago, NYC again, but somehow we landed on NOLA and the next thing I knew, I'm looking up flights and we're booking tickets not even 3 days later. Holy most spontaneous thing I've ever done. 

One month later I'm sitting in an airport at 4:30am (before security was even open might I add) getting ready to board a 6:00am flight for a less than 72 hour trip to NOLA. Crazy! But it was seriously the best mini vacation ever. Not only do I absolutely adore seeing Kim (its so crazy we only get to see each about twice a year since we're practically soul mates), but NOLA is some kinda awesome.

Now, I'm just going to give you the abridged version of this trip and leave your imagination to fill in the gaps. On this trip I managed to:

Ride a mechanical bull in a cowboy bar.

End up getting paired up for dinner (by the hostess, randomly) with two strangers, who turned out to live where Angela lives in NJ and were completely awesome. 

Go on a swamp tour (hello alligator friends and reckless tour guide).

Try amazeball po-boys, gumbo, jambalaya (and the ever so good 2am chili dog).

Visit Cafe Du Monte and basked in the greatness that is beignets and au lait coffee.

Join a dance party in the street.

Witness a traditional New Orleans street parade after a wedding.

Meet a very drunken Irishman, and had to be rescued by Kim.

See police officers on horses just chillin in the street. 

Visit the french market. Twice.

Try alligator jerky (it was actually really good!).

Go on a rum distillery tour and proceeded to try a million samples of terrible rum (well maybe its terrible because the only rum I like is flavored with coconut). It was painful. 

Get a great free tour from our sweet rum tour guide of the surrounding area  and the history of the area pre/post Katrina during the van ride there and back. 

Buy cheesey masks. And actually wear them in public.

Try to force Kim on a walking tour early in the morning. She was not amused. Like at all. (Lucky for her it down poured during our mini break before the tour so she got to eat cheesy grits for the second morning in a row instead). 

Meet English boys on holiday road tripping around America. They wore sequin bow ties and a love of dancing. My favorite kind of boys ;) 

Have the best sushi of my life. No lie. (even though we took the cable car to god knows where to get it.)

Be amazed by the iron work architecture lining the streets.

Witness the morning clean up done by all the business on Bourbon Street (a.k.a. just hosing off the areas outside their stores/bars).

Listen to jazz all over the city. The streets, the bars, everywhere!

Try a hand grande. It was foul.

Wear my new rain boots!

I am in love with New Orleans open container policy. Not because I like to get drunk in public, but man is it convenient  Taking in the sights AND having a nice drink. Win! While I don't think I could ever live in NOLA, I do love the atmosphere, the people, the energy and the architecture. There is no place like NOLA.  Lets just say Kim's already booked a hotel for Mardi Gras next year...