Apparently nobody calls it “Nawlins.” Glad I learned that well before I landed in The Big Easy. And what’s so “easy” about New Orleans? Is it the fact that on Bourbon Street, it’s easy to drink, listen to live music, eat some cajun food and have a good time? Can’t be. New Orleans was filled with an array of unique sights and smells–I can’t even compare it to any other place I’ve visited to date. It was filled with voodoo, ghostly vibes juxtaposed with beautiful art, architecture and a lively music and food scene. Flash, Bam, Alakazam–check out some snaps from our trip to NOLA!

A lot of the buildings had these metal balcony grates adorned with floral arrangements making for a pleasant stroll down the streets of the French Quarter.

 
 
People were not afraid to use vibrant colors on doors, shutters or just straight up the entire building!

 
 
Getting around was easy, whether by walking or street car. Uber was readily available for excursions outside of the French Quarter

 
 
Over in the Garden District were blocks of old victorian-style mansions. Haunted? Sure hope so.

 
 
Speaking of old stuff, check out the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the United States! Haunted? Maybe.

 
 
As the sun goes down, Bourbon street is lit up with bar lights, street signs and cigarette butts. Seemingly the most happening place to be, locals will tell you to check out Frenchman Street for a taste of what NOLA used to be like. It’s hard to describe the difference–you have to experience it. The art is more colorful, the bass goes way down low, and the bars got more swank than Hilary. Could be haunted.

 
 
Escaping the city, we took an after-rain stroll through Audubon Park which is home to some gigantic oak trees dressed with beautiful hanging Spanish moss. Sort of like a dream. A haunted dream.

 
 
One thing that I certainly did NOT think I would find in New Orleans is the National WWII Museum, which was extremely comprehensive with exhibits for both Pacific and European campaigns. I even managed to find some info about my Grandfather’s squad, The Flying Tigers. Though only a single display was dedicated to this info, it was pretty great to see this integral unit of the air corps recognized in a national museum. Likeliness of being haunted: likely.


 
 
Of course, staying in NOLA for 2 days, we had to eat something! Although we weren’t adventurous enough to try gator or rabbit, we got in our fair share of non-seafood, creole dishes–some of which I would gladly flash my breasts to get more of.

Cafe Du Monde
 
Beignets! A must-have when going to New Orleans. Don’t be fooled by similar venues or deterred by a long line, Cafe Du Monde serves one thing and one thing only: A fried piece of dough covered in powdered sugar. Depending on who you’re with, you can split an order of three (any normal human being) or get one order for each person (Jenny).

 
 
Parkway Bakery and Tavern
 
On the list for having an amazing roast beef po’ boy, Parkway is favored by locals and tourists alike. Take a look at this glistening masterpiece! Although I could eat po’ boys for the rest of my life and never think twice, I must say that the flavor and taste was nothing extraordinary–but that is the beauty of it! A basic sandwich that’s sure to get your belly full and your heart working double time.

 
 
Gumbo Shop
 
The only place in the French Quarter that Eater NOLA recommends, Gumbo Shop was yards away from our hotel and an easy choice on Tuesday morning before our flight. Though I don’t have anything to compare it to, the gumbo trio here let our taste buds explore. The trio had z’herb, hot turkey, and chicken with andouille sausage gumbos topped with rice, each one delicious in its own right. My favorite was actually the hot turkey with some garlic hot sauce sprinkled over it.

 
The Gumbo Shop also served Boudin sausage, a pork and rice sausage specific to cajun cooking. I liked it, but it is not my favorite sausage ever (see Taiwan). Inside the snappy casing, the rice and pork create a crumbly, grainy texture similar to eating cornmeal. Though tasty and well seasoned, it was not a sausage I can see myself craving more of.

 
 
Cochon
 
If you’re looking for some cajun eats that aren’t prepared by a guy named Fred in a hot sweaty shack, stop by Cochon outside the French Quarter. This restaurant owned by James Beard award winning chef Stephen Stryjewski serves up southern dishes in an upscale atmosphere. Check out this braised beef short rib. That thing on top? Butter with cajun spices. What’s it doing? Melting. Oh yeah. Don’t forget to peep that Bargs rootbeer making a cameo in the background. You don’t know Bargs until you’ve had it out of a bottle!

 
Check out this spicy vinegar with chilis inside. I just thought it was cool. Also, HOT SAUCE ON EVERYTHING!

 
 
Willie Mae’s Scotch House
 
You’re about to take a long look at some fried chicken that is ranked as one of the best in the United States. Crispy, juicy, the right amount of kick–everything I like in a woman, I found in this chicken. I would compare the skin to a potato chip: it’s not thick or overly greasy, the crunch is there at the first bite and then dissipates into flavor crystals as you eat the juiciest chicken you ever did have. Red beans and rice, sweet yams–you gotta be kidding me.

 
 
Hey, thanks, New Orleans. You’ve got some life to you and I didn’t get harassed by a single homeless or crazy person which is a big win in my book! Cajun food has officially entered my body and it says, “Welcome to the club.” Listening to live jazz in a bar while middle-aged women do a jig was an experience I won’t soon forget, either, as I think to myself, “What a wonderful world.”