Death, Music and Food

Oh, were to start with such a fun filled day full of information, interesting sites, great music, and unique foods.  Let me start by telling you about St. Louis Cemetery.  Because New Orleans is below sea level they have to bury their loved ones above ground instead of below ground like us Illinois folk.  Not only is their burial location different than ours, but families share tombs.  The tombs typically hold two caskets but once another family member passes away, one members remains are placed in a bag and placed in the bottom section of the tombs.  It is hard to explain.  I feel that it is almost something you have to see for yourself.  Below are some pictures of the resting place of thousands I presume. 

Just a side note: This is for Nicholas Cage (No he hasn't passed away)

Though the cemetery was such an interesting learning experience and a wonderful thing to see, I feel that the city really started speaking to me once we entered Louis Armstrong Park/ Congo Square.  It is hard to put into words but the park released a feeling of free and calm.  In the background you could hear the sounds of a drum being beat and if you turned around a dance was being performed.  The stories of Native Americans and the slaves meeting in the park were fascinating.  The information about music gave me a level of respect I have not had for jazz and rock n’ roll; I now have such a deeper respect for musicians I have just heard of but never really listened to. 

Even the houses and apartments are full of life and culture.  Handmade trusses held balconies, none of which matched the others.  Houses flew flags they were proud of, some the United States flag, some the rainbow flag, LSU flags, and New Orleans Saint flags.  Those who lived in those houses were proud of whom they are and where they are and they had no problem with showing it.  The uniqueness shouted out to me as I walked down the street.  I know I have said this before but I am going to state it again because it is the honest truth: it is extremely hard to put this amazing place into words; one should experience New Orleans even if it is just once. 

Today was interesting because we were able to sample some creole food.  My particular favorites were the brisket with a different type of horseradish sauce.  Yes, I know we have brisket back home but not brisket that falls apart when you touch it and melts in your mouth.  The sauce was the perfect amount of spicy for me.  I also had some type of bean that was cooked to perfection.  The beans were great by themselves but I wanted to give them a little kick so I decided to add some hot sauce which just put them over the top of greatness.  By third favorite food that I ate on the tour was gelato.  I have had Italian ice cream before in Wisconsin, yes you read that correctly: Wisconsin, but this gelato was perfect.  It was the perfect mix of root beer and cherry flavor.  The tour gave me a great sense of the types of foods I should eat while I am in New Orleans. 

So far New Orleans has been everything I have expected and a little more.  I have been confused by the food because I was under the impression before I came that everything was Cajun.  I was taught today that Cajun and Creole foods were the main types of foods in New Orleans.  I am pretty excited to get to the spicy food in the upcoming days.  I was even able to see a dog play dead while holding an alcohol beverage: where else could I see something like that?

See it really happened!