Eat, Drink, Sing, Dance, Play

Welcome to New Orleans. Where you get to do all of those things. This recent trip with Firas was my second visit to the incredible city of New Orleans. Again, it wasn't long enough to delve into the history of the city and the impact that Katrina had, but it was just enough to scratch the surface and appreciate the diversity and culture that the city embodies. Having been plagued with the flu prior to our weekend trip, we were a bit nervous about making the eight-hour drive and then being confined to the hotel room if by chance I had a relapse or if Firas were to experience flu-like symptoms. However, luck was on our side. And not only was luck on our side physically, but also in the way of our wallets. After enjoying a delicious dinner at Acme compete with chargrilled and raw oysters, I told Firas that a good start to our trip would be a quick visit to Harrah's Casino (see my Vegas post to understand my healthy admiration of casinos and slot machines), and he agreed.

Firas played a not-so-lucky hand at blackjack and I spent five unlucky dollars on a slot machine. He tried very hard to convince me to join him at the blackjack table and after I refused four or five times, he sat down at a slot machine and I sat down at the one right beside him. I put in another five-dollar bill, pressed the "Max Bet" button, and all of a sudden.... cha-ching! cha-ching! cha-ching! Three in a row.... and the machine started tallying up the money I won.... final number: $250!!!!!! Two HUNDRED and fifty dollars! Holy casino moly. Firas took a video of me as I looked back and forth between him and the machine (mostly at the machine, as I was in complete shock). I didn't think people actually won on the slots. Especially ME! I deemed it necessary to yell, "Cash Money Ho's!"... I'm not even sure where I picked that up... is it from a movie? Deirdre will know. But it felt like the perfect time to shout it out. Wish I had thought that out more carefully since Firas insisted on showing his Mom the video... I tried to laugh really hard during that 3-second clip so that she couldn't pick up what I was saying. I think it worked. Anyways, I was just completely giddy after that, for lack of a better word. Firas was too, he'll admit it. It was just nice to know that I wouldn't be spending any of "my own" money in New Orleans.

After striking the jackpot, we continued on to Bourbon Street and enjoyed drinks at a few great bars. Firas was intent on having me drink my first "hand grenade", which would have been a fine idea if we didn't follow it up with a hurricane at Pat O'Briens. Never again. I will blame us picking up sliders and french fries at Krystal Burgers on our way home on those two drinks. Not guilty.

But we we did enjoy live music and even ventured into my favorite bar that my Dad told me about.... it's called The Cat's Meow, and it is a BLAST, especially for karoke fanatics like myself. In between songs, the karaoke DJ will do group songs, funny competitions, etc... it really is a good time. The DJ started a congo line at one point and half of the bar joined and danced their way around the place... I'm pretty sure Gloria Estefan was playing for this one, and you can't go wrong there. She finally led the group towards the stage where they had people doing the limbo. Within 30 seconds, Firas turned to me and said, "I've GOTTA do it!" and he darted towards the stage and was shimmying under the limbo bar without looking back once. It was amazing. On another note, the bar happened to be filled with lesbians the night that Firas and I were there... he asked if I was sure it wasn't a gay bar, and I told him I was pretty confident that Dad and his co-workers wouldn't be hanging out at a gay bar on their business trips. A lesbian duo was on stage singing, "Cruisin", one of my favorite songs from the movie "Duets". Only they added a whole lot of super-scandalous motions (think thrusting and fondling), facial expressions and extra words to the song. Being a tad uncomfortable (before you call me judgmental, just know that I would have been just as uncomfortable had a man and woman been doing what they were doing on stage), I thought it would be funny to elbow the two random guys next to me and shout, "I think they're single!" They looked at me kind of funny and I figured that they didn't hear me (obviously, or else they would be laughing) so I repeated myself even louder.... "I THINK THEY'RE SINGLE!" I got a slight chuckle this time, and then looked back over in five minutes and realized that the two random guys I elbowed were also gay. Good going, Jaclyn. Next bar, please.

The next morning, we enjoyed a fantastic (and very, VERY pricey) brunch at Brennans, a well-known restaurant, especially when it comes to their eggs benedict dishes. I should have known we were in for it when our two bloody marys cost 25 dollars. Seriously?! Despite the breaking of the bank for this meal, it was quite good. It seemed the most cost-effective to order from the Prix Fixe menu and we both had soup (I had oyster, Firas had onion), a specialty eggs benedict dish, and dessert. I had the bananas foster and Firas went for the crepes... both SO good and prepared by the chef right in front of the table.... fire and all!

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the French Quarter, enjoying live music, street performances, and the sun that finally decided to come out! We enjoyed another good meal at Desire for dinner, explored Bourbon Street some more, and ended the night at Cafe du Monde for the most incredible beignets EVER. Oh my gosh, I am so glad I don't have access to those every day.

There's so much that I'm leaving out, but hopefully the pictures will tell a better story. Overall, it was a great trip... we did a LOT, but it was relaxing too. The ride home was not so fun, but it was worth it... I think Firas would agree. We will definitely be back, especially now that our friend Brittany is moving there very soon! Thank you Nola for another memorable visit.

P.S. This boy is my soulmate.