Feb. 17 - 23, 2013 New Orleans

Great music complete with tap dancing

New Orleans is a city like no other; its unique blend of Spanish, French, Native American, African, and European cultures is unparalleled in the United States. The brightly painted house, the strains of jazz emanating from the streets, the smells of Cajun and creole foods wafting through the air, and the touch of the breeze blowing across the waters create a sensory overload- so much to see, so much to do, so much to eat!



Ronald Lewis, House of Dance and Feathers

It was rewarding to fulfill some acts of kindness as a small repayment to these people for sharing their charming city with me. The music is addicting; one wants to follow one's ears from street to street locating the performers. For this entertainment, all the groups that I saw received a generous donation.To know New Orleans one must understand its history. A visit to a plantation is an important piece to comprehending this region. Our guide at the Laura plantation was Doug, a polished story teller with corny puns and fascinating tales. He was surprised by a small jug of New York maple syrup at the end of the tour. The Lower Ninth Ward has become synonymous with the devastation from Katrina. I made an appointment with one of the residents to visit his museum called the House of Dance and Feathers. Here we spent an hour with Ronald Lewis, who has dedicated his life to educating people about the culture and creativity of his neighborhood. His message to connect with those near and far to build a supportive network was powerful. I gave Ron another container of our local syrup for his family to enjoy. Near the end of the week we visited the World War II Museum, an enormous building filled with multi media presentations and exhibits which depict the American efforts in this war. The experience leaves one drained, informed, and astonished by the conditions that were endured and the deeds accomplished. I stopped to speak to a WWII veteran who served in the Pacific . He spoke passionately about his personal experiences, and I thanked gratefully him for his service to our country. I left my guide book at our rental house for the next visitor to the Crescent City. I am sure they will find it handy  as they become acquainted with this beautiful, vibrant region.