New Orleans today.

A tour of New Orleans but no parade today. The next parade is Wednesday evening.

We left Slidell for the French Quarter in New Orleans after 9 AM. It is about a 40 minute drive with little traffic. We parked in a public lot on St Peter Street, paid $18 for 8 hours and proceeded to Cafe Du Monde for beignet's and coffee. Although it was crowded we managed to find a table. Worth the trip just for the beinget's.

 Ed, Budd, Clyda, and Brenda at Cafe Du Monde.

Mmm Mmm Good!

We did some window shopping, watched a Navy jazz band play at Jackson Square, and toured St Louis Cathedral. From there we walked to St Louis Cemetery No1 on North Rampart Street. The cemetery tour was on Clyda's bucket list.

 St Louis Cathedral across Jackson Aquare.

Balcony's decorated for Mardi Gras. 

 

St Louis Cemetery No 1.

 

Street lights on Rampart Street.

 

Budd standing under Bourbon Street sign.

By now we were hot, hungry, and thirsty so we went to the Napoleon House at Chartres and St Louis Streets. Most people go to the Italian Grocery for Muffulleta sandwiches but it was closed today and the Napoleon House was recommended to us as they heat their Muffuletas. Each couple split a sandwich but in truth we could have split a half sandwich and had enough food.

After lunch we walked to Canal Street and caught the St Charles Ave trolly and intended to ride it to the end and back. The crowds of people waiting for the return trolly at each stop persuaded us to get off just before the end and return back to Canal Street. We took another two trolly's to get back to the parking lot where the truck was instead of walking.

Car on the trolly track.

St Charles Street is the route for several parades including the one for Wednesday night so all of the viewing stands are remain up. Food booths are parked on side streets and porta potty's are everywhere as are police booths which can be elevated above the crowds so the police can spot trouble easier.

 Photo taken from the trolly window. Not much space for cars.

Viewing stands for the parades.

Ladders with seats on top for small children.

Lots of beads are hanging from trees and power lines. Private homes have chain link fencing surrounding their trees, shrubs, and flower beds to keep people off. I can only imagine how rowdy it must get.

We did manage to get in evening traffic but were back in Slidell by 7 PM.

Oh yes, we did pick up some neat beads at the Louisiana Visitor Center to wear today.