Day 2: "Maybe it was Memphis"
Monday, September 04, 2006
I'll try to include pop culture quotes whenever possible. Stay alert.
Though there was WiFi at our New Orleans hotel, we couldn't get connected to it. But that's the day three post. Right now we've got day 2 to recap. I know I left everyone hanging - which of us is The Killer's BIGGEST fan and who prefers The King? I can only include a few pictures here so, I'm going to have to keep you guessing until all the pics are up on Snapfish.
Day two was a long one. We visited both Sun Studios and Graceland in Memphis before driving through Mississippi to New Orleans. Once in MS, we saw two things - cotton & casinos. Donnell heard the call of Lady Luck and we zipped into a "mecca" as he called it. There were neon lights and high-rises, like a mini Vegas. We only stayed about 1/2 an hour, but that was long enough for Donnell to quadruple his money. However, with my losses at the slot machines, and his love of the game - we left with our money only doubled. We're not complaining though! It was a nice side trip, and though we reaked of smoke, we both enjoyed it. I'll be hearing those damn machines chanting "Wheel . . . OF. . . Fortune" for days.
We arrived in New Orleans later than we would if we had a do-over. It was about 7pm, but the narrow, unfamilar streets were already crowded with cars and people. We did see some Katrina damage in the far NE section of the French Quarter and tons of homes and businesses are for sale. We didn't venture into any of the surrounding parishes, and hence saw no other damage. Our hotel was older and small but had alot of charm, and it was in a great location one block south of Bourbon and maybe 5 blocks from Jackson Square. I thought the FQ was going to be much larger; mainly because I thought the blocks were alot larger.
We happened to be in town for Southern Decadence weekend. It's supposedly pretty raucous (according to our waiter) but we never made it to Bourbon St. to find out. If you don't already know, I have some anxiety issues. I should have known when Donnell was overwhelmed that I might have a problem, but it hit me out of nowhere. So dinner turned into carryout, and our plans for Bourbon Street turned into Xanax.
Next time Donnell will have a few drinks before we even leave the hotel, and we'll get to town earlier with time to relax - and find parking!!! (so much for our winnings - poof)
Today's highlights: Sun Studios, Graceland, Horseshoe Casino, Great River Road SP, rural MS, New Orleans
posted by Shannon @ 4.9.06,
