Breakfast: Continental from The Westin, good valued buffet, lots of fresh fruits
Lunch: most awful Subway I've ever had, soggy and drippy chicken wrap, erg
Cappuccino from Starbucks
Late afternoon: one coconut yogurt soft ice cream
Dinner: Half dozen of raw oysters and Fisherman's stew (small) at Grand Isle Restaurant. My best meal of the day.
19/03/2018
Breakfast: Continental breakfast from The Westin. I just couldn't resist the fresh fruits! And I discovered a fantastic view of Mississippi river from the lobby and the restaurant area. Looking at fog/steam slowly rising up from the River is quite mesmerizing. Shall remember to take a photo next time.
Bumped into an acquaintance in a foreign city! It's just nice to be able to talk to someone slightly more than just the pleasantry. We ended up unwinding in Mulate's sharing fried calamaris and BBQ shrimps with root beer (for me) and virgin pina colada (for her). After that, we went to Cochon, a reception hosted by one software provider. Surprisingly I didn't see anyone I know (I had expected to know at least a couple) but unknowingly sat at the same table with a famous scientist! He came to the reception with his wife but no one else was really talking to him except us. Well, a great loss for the others. At the end of the reception, my acquaintance met another co-worker. We ended up chatting together as well and went to the evening poster session. Popcorn from the ACS for dinner.
20/03/2018
Breakfast: Starbucks coffee provided by the Westin. No hotel breakfast today. It's good to have a break.
Talks today were rather lack-luster. The weather turned out to be sunny but cool. I enjoyed my riverside walk.
Lunch: Shrimp Norman form the nearby outlet food court. It's fried shrimp with cheese sauce. I chose sweet potato fries as a side. I didn't think it's possible to get tired of fried food but I am now.
Dinner: Half dozen of raw oysters, Shrimp Etouffee and Virgin Mojito at Red Fish Grill. I sat at the bar tonight, feeling quite grown up eating alone in a foreign country. I was very well looked after by Dickey, one of the very busy bartenders. I had a great meal and finest (fried) catfish in my life (the catfish was part of the Etouffee dish.
I think tomorrow will be Asian themed food. I am now sated with Cajun/Southern food.
ps. Is it ever possible to be tired of Perfect by Ed Sheeran?
21/03/2018
Had a drink with some people from the conference between 5pm and 7pm. This is my last day in the conference. The night was getting dark and the wind was getting strong. Needed a jacket and the group parted.
Dinner:
22/03/2018
I've been looking forward to this day trip for a week. Got picked up at 7:55am from the hotel. Off we go to Bayou swamp boat ride and two plantation visits.
After one hour on the road, we arrived at Brian's for the bayou ride. Captain Brian is knowledgeable about the bayou, the nature and its environment. A true native (a cajun?) who is passionately sharing the local info. I didn't expect the bayou so calming and pretty. Too bad that we only spotted a few (baby) alligators as the weather was not hot enough (although perfect for human). Regardless, the commentary and scenery are all worth the time.
After that, we visited the Oak Alley. The whole plantation ground feels like a scene from Gone With The Wind! Not to mention the guide for our short house tour has the most lovely southern accent. Visually magnificent, historically sobering. The lunch which was included in the tour was just ok. Too salty for my taste but gave everyone a taste of cajun food.
The high note of this day trip was Laura Plantation. A creole style plantation, very different from Oak Alley, the unforgettable visit was mostly thanked to Camille, our knowledgeable, energetic and theatrical guide. The whole tour lasted about 1hr 20 min, rather long compared to others, covers thoroughly the history of the Big House and the society at the time. I couldn't have enough if not for physical fatigue. Just think about how far we human beings have come. We should all be grateful with what we've got and treat with uttermost respect and care.
23/03/2018
This morning I had a Music and Heritage tour by Keith. A clear local music enthusiast, well, New Orleans has a lot to say about music. Although I don't know much about jazz/blue/brass, I enjoyed listening to Keith's stories about local music legends. It's another way into the history and I thoroughly enjoyed my two hours with Keith.
One of our final stops was in Louis Armstrong park where we saw a park ranger leading a parade with school kids, singing and dancing together. ''I want to be a park ranger" is the theme of the song and I found it utterly sweet. For 5-6 year-olds, what could be a better way to show them a way of life through music and sharing what you know. That scene with a park ranger playing and singing with a guitar followed by a file of small children raising small white umbrellas is perhaps the most endearing thing I've seen here.
Through Keith, I got to know Professor Longhair (what a gem) and Doreen Ketchens, a living musician still playing in French quarter, road side in front of a supermarket, despite selling records worldwide. That sums up New Orleans for me. Talent, passion and dedication. New Orleans is such an intriguing city.
24/03/2018
Au revoir, New Orleans. I will take home with the steam slowly rising up from the Mississippi river in the morning, the chimes from the cruising ships late at night and the school kids following a singing and guitar playing man and realizing how far we have moved forward. It's such a pleasure to know you.
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