New Orleans or as the locals call it “Nawlins”…Sept 2022 was my first trip to this city…but it’s been not just on my bucket list…it’s been in my spirit since I can remember…have you ever felt connected to somewhere that you’ve never been…New Orleans is one of those places for me…along with Egypt and Cape Town…in regards to New Orleans, I think it is my love for jazz…I’m particularly a huge fan of the Be-Bop era…I have that same spiritual connection and admiration for John Coltrane…I love Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, “Monk”etc…seafood is my favorite…fish, crabs, shrimp, oysters, you name it…the energy there…the fusion of different cultures…West African, French, Dutch, Native American…the way they celebrate life…the way the first line parades through the street…the way they celebrate death…sending their loved ones away with a party as opposed to singing sad songs and falling on caskets…New Orleans is different…particularly, for it to be a southern city…I stayed on Canal Street at the Double Tree by Hilton…I am a Diamond Member after all lol…in all seriousness…Hilton brand likely has the best perks out of all of the major brands…Canal and Bourbon are “jumping” with street music, people laughing, people loving, and people throwing up their food at times…about 10am until whenever the scenery is live…the people are hospitable…and it’s a Tuesday…I try to eat all the seafood I can…I devour shrimp and grits every morning…I drink Hurricanes and the occasional Miami Vice…take an alligator tour…take a tour around the city to see the devastation that remains from Katrina (my prayers for all those effected)…tour the graveyards to see the above ground graves with amazing architecture…they are built above ground because of New Orleans flood status and the sea level…I saw the grave of one of my favorite author’s Anne Rice…mostly known for her horror books and vampires…my favorite by her is “The Feast of All Saints”…it contributed to my fascination with New Orleans…I also should give a shout out to the HBO produced “Treme”…remarkable series…we were fortunate enough to catch some authentic local legendary jazz at d.b.a. on Frenchmen St…The Treme Brass Band was playing and I was locked in from the moment I sat foot in the door…Snug Harbor is also another great spot for live music…a few recommendations Deanies Restaurant…the breakfast there is banging…Dragos also…lastly, The Doubletree, by Hilton…is perfectly located in the thick of all the happenings…you won’t have to search for something to get into…if anything, you will have a harder time trying to get out…but why?…our accommodations were everything you would expect from the Hilton brand…the bellhop took care of us as we exited our Uber…a pristine lobby area…immaculately clean from floor to ceiling…all the while maintaining its French inspired theme and architecture…swift check-in…the room was spacious…bathroom was modern and tastefully done…and the bed felt like I was sleeping on a cloud…perfect for coming in late night from a long day and consuming several Hurricanes…just what the bartender ordered!
City of New Orleans Katrina Recovery Tour
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter-Astor
Stay TripPen Travel 
Leave a comment