I recently traveled to New Orleans and Mississippi...New Orleans on business and Mississippi for pleasure.
While in New Orleans, I stayed at the Hotel Monteleone, one of the last family owned hotels operating in New Orleans. Since 1886, four generations of Monteleone's have dedicated themselves to operating the hotel.
The conference I was attending was also taking place at the Hotel Moneteleone.
After arriving in New Orleans Monday afternoon, Kristin (a grantee from Sitka, AK) and I met up and took a stroll around downtown.
I was craving something creole, so we stopped for some tasty crawfish at The Market Cafe. With jazz music in our ears, this spot definitely made us feel like we were experiencing New Orleans for what it is.
The conference was Tuesday and Wednesday. Hosted by the Health Education Council, the conference emphasized a Promising Practices approach to "achieving health and social equity in tobacco control." Alaska was well represented with approximately 10 attendees.
Both afternoons and evenings were spent walking around the French Quarter, getting a glimpse of a culture that is not typically seen in Anchorage...
For dinner on Tuesday night we went to the Original French Market Restaurant. I shared The Bayou Platter, which was pretty much everything New Orleans, including Red Beans and Rice, Shrimp Creole, and Jambalaya.
It was delicious.
Tuesday night, while out on the town, we ran into this man...who is a famous actor. Well, famous enough to have a show on HBO...I think. They film in N.O. We later saw his actor chair at the film site.
More images of New Orleans...
YUM!!!!
I loved this house...
Jackson Square
On Thursday, the streets became much more busy due to the Jazz Festival.
These two could REALLY dance.
While waiting for my uncle Tom to pick me up, I ate lunch at the Gumbo Shop.
I ordered Chicken Gumbo and it too was mighty fine.