People are strange
A spooky trip back in time to our honeymoon six years ago and our Halloween spent in New Orleans.
After a breakfast of eggs sunny side up with grits, perched on the banks of the Mississippi we caught the street car to the University on St Charles Avenue. From there we explored the Garden District and, as in the days before google maps (and the worlds' obsession with knowing exactly where they are) we were happy to wander for a few hours with no more ambition than to soak up the atmosphere.
There was a lot to see. The shady tree-lined streets play host to all shapes and sizes of houses from grand historic mansions to boutique cottages, with a raft of extravagant gardens thrown in for good measure.
But being from the UK we weren't prepared for were the huge elaborate Halloween displays that seemed a to adorn every house. Yes, the centre of New Orleans has a good share of ghostly street decorations but there's an industry of horror themed shops and tours that justifies it.
Far spookier are the suburban gardens filled with comedic skeletons or the grand old mansion on the hill crawling with gigantic arachnids. Not forgetting at the centre of this neighborhood is the very pretty but equally eerie Lafayette Cemetery.
 |
| Honeymoon, New Orleans style. |
After a breakfast of eggs sunny side up with grits, perched on the banks of the Mississippi we caught the street car to the University on St Charles Avenue. From there we explored the Garden District and, as in the days before google maps (and the worlds' obsession with knowing exactly where they are) we were happy to wander for a few hours with no more ambition than to soak up the atmosphere.
There was a lot to see. The shady tree-lined streets play host to all shapes and sizes of houses from grand historic mansions to boutique cottages, with a raft of extravagant gardens thrown in for good measure.
But being from the UK we weren't prepared for were the huge elaborate Halloween displays that seemed a to adorn every house. Yes, the centre of New Orleans has a good share of ghostly street decorations but there's an industry of horror themed shops and tours that justifies it.
Far spookier are the suburban gardens filled with comedic skeletons or the grand old mansion on the hill crawling with gigantic arachnids. Not forgetting at the centre of this neighborhood is the very pretty but equally eerie Lafayette Cemetery.
 |
| Lafayette Cemetery, New Orleans |
Once you had your fill of ghouls and ghosts, Magazine Street is the way to head back into the French Quarter. There are antique and vintage shops to explore, restaurants and cafes and plenty of places to get a beer. It's a lovely part of the city and shouldn't be missed.
Even though our visit was only six years ago there's been a huge shift in that time in how the UK celebrates this time of year. It appears our appetite for burning Mr Fawkes on a bonfire is diminishing and we are returning to our deeper past and focusing on All Hallows' Eve, of course in some part due to the popularising of the celebration in the States.
But as New Orleans demonstrated even back then, we're still playing at this thing.
 |
| The Garden District, New Orleans |
Even though our visit was only six years ago there's been a huge shift in that time in how the UK celebrates this time of year. It appears our appetite for burning Mr Fawkes on a bonfire is diminishing and we are returning to our deeper past and focusing on All Hallows' Eve, of course in some part due to the popularising of the celebration in the States.
But as New Orleans demonstrated even back then, we're still playing at this thing.
 |
| French Quarter, New Orleans |
Comments
Post a Comment