The trip we had originally planned to Aruba was much more
expensive than flying to NOLA. So, we decided to upgrade to first class. Full
advantage of the extra hospitality was had by both of us.
Upon arriving in New Orleans, we were picked up by my Aunt Laurie and cousin Annie. We visited a local café for lunch in Metairie. I dined on a yummy bowl of gumbo and fried eggplant.
Metairie is the community where Tom and Laurie live. It is
the first suburb of New Orleans, located on the south shore of Lake
Pontchartrain between the cities of New Orleans and Kenner. Kenner is home to
the New Orleans International Airport.
On Friday evening we enjoyed a dinner of homemade shrimp pasta made by Laurie. It was delicious and a perfect meal to start our weekend. YUM!
On Saturday morning, we visited the school where Tom worked. This school is unique because it was formerly known as William Frantz Elementary School, and is the school Ruby Bridges attended during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis in 1960. Ruby was six years old when she became the first African-American child to integrate a white elementary school. Her parents had responded to a request from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and volunteered Ruby to participate. Ruby was one of six black children in New Orleans to pass the test that determined they could go to an all while school. Two of the children decided to stay at their old school, three children were transferred to another all-white school, and Ruby attended William Frantz. She had to be escorted to class by her mother and United States marshals every day due to threats of violence. She was taught in a classroom by herself with her own teacher and was also not allowed to eat lunch with the other students in fear of being poisoned.
She was quoted as saying that the only way she knew other students attended the school was because she could hear their voices while they were outside for recess.
According to an article from the Huffington Post, after Hurricane Katrina, William Frantz Elementary, along with 113 other schools, fell under the oversight of Louisiana’s Recovery School District. As part of a master plan for New Orleans, $1.8 billion was invested in primary and secondary education buildings. William Frantz Elementary became home to Akili Academy in 2013 and $23.5 million was invested in a new building that is attached to the historic elementary school. The older building received rehabilitation of period-style features and hardwood floors and windows were replaced.
Ruby’s classroom was restored with period-appropriate furniture. Classrooms are used in all parts of both buildings. Akili Academy is a K-6 public, open-enrollment charter school.
After visiting Akili Academy, we went to St. Roch Market for
lunch. This place is called a "food hall" that houses several food
and beverage purveyors that range in specialties from creole to Mexican and ice
cream to kombucha. While we were walking around trying to decide what to order,
we ran into two of our favorite Food Network chefs, Marc Murphy and Aaron
Sanchez, who are regularly featured as judges on Chopped.
After much wondering and contemplation, I decided to dine on coconut shrimp curry...
...and we all shared an order of fresh oysters.
We then went for a walk by the mouth of the Mississippi River with Tom and Laurie...
We enjoyed some NOLA inspired food fare at
spots recommended by Yelp and our hostess'...
Upon arriving in New Orleans, we were picked up by my Aunt Laurie and cousin Annie. We visited a local café for lunch in Metairie. I dined on a yummy bowl of gumbo and fried eggplant.
On Friday evening we enjoyed a dinner of homemade shrimp pasta made by Laurie. It was delicious and a perfect meal to start our weekend. YUM!
On Saturday morning, we visited the school where Tom worked. This school is unique because it was formerly known as William Frantz Elementary School, and is the school Ruby Bridges attended during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis in 1960. Ruby was six years old when she became the first African-American child to integrate a white elementary school. Her parents had responded to a request from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and volunteered Ruby to participate. Ruby was one of six black children in New Orleans to pass the test that determined they could go to an all while school. Two of the children decided to stay at their old school, three children were transferred to another all-white school, and Ruby attended William Frantz. She had to be escorted to class by her mother and United States marshals every day due to threats of violence. She was taught in a classroom by herself with her own teacher and was also not allowed to eat lunch with the other students in fear of being poisoned.
She was quoted as saying that the only way she knew other students attended the school was because she could hear their voices while they were outside for recess.
According to an article from the Huffington Post, after Hurricane Katrina, William Frantz Elementary, along with 113 other schools, fell under the oversight of Louisiana’s Recovery School District. As part of a master plan for New Orleans, $1.8 billion was invested in primary and secondary education buildings. William Frantz Elementary became home to Akili Academy in 2013 and $23.5 million was invested in a new building that is attached to the historic elementary school. The older building received rehabilitation of period-style features and hardwood floors and windows were replaced.
Ruby’s classroom was restored with period-appropriate furniture. Classrooms are used in all parts of both buildings. Akili Academy is a K-6 public, open-enrollment charter school.
After much wondering and contemplation, I decided to dine on coconut shrimp curry...
...and we all shared an order of fresh oysters.
We then went for a walk by the mouth of the Mississippi River with Tom and Laurie...
Saturday night we splurged on a fancy dinner at Peche. Let's just say, from
appetizer to dessert, all the food was divine!
Leah and I spent much of Sunday exploring the French Quarter. The day started at the French Market...
Leah and I spent much of Sunday exploring the French Quarter. The day started at the French Market...
...and had a beer inspired by Leah's cat, Jax...
We took the afternoon to tour the World War II museum, which
was extremely inspirational. I would highly recommend this museum to
anyone.
We stopped at Cochon for lunch, and we were lucky enough to enjoy a seat next to the open kitchen.
We stopped at Cochon for lunch, and we were lucky enough to enjoy a seat next to the open kitchen.
Out of spontaneity we introduced ourselves to the chef, who
seemed delighted by the gesture. As we ate our way through the menu, he favored
us with a few extra food items along the way...
We didn't complain...
Our favorite item was the oysters...
We then walked to Courtyard Brewery...
On Monday, before heading to the airport, Leah, Laurie and I had a wonderful lunch of authentic Spanish paella at Lola's, a home style restaurant with a cozy, quaint feel.
Leah and I had a wonderful time in New Orleans with Tom,
Laurie and their family. We can't wait to go back and explore more of the city!
Cheers!