Le Seminary Wives Gone Wild
Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 10:16PM From the moment we all arrived in NOLA, it was party time. When the three ladies who arrived ahead of me picked me up from the airport, they had already been to Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. There could only be good times ahead. These mamas know how to rock a weekend get-away!
First stop: Lunch. We ate at the Napoleon House, and were rowdy enough to get some lip from our waiter (he actually told us if we weren't ready the next time he came to take our order, he might not come back again) (I was told that ordering food in New Orleans is a lot like ordering food in Philly...say what you want, in code, no niceties or lolligagging). Guess what fancy NOLA fare I ordered? A ham sandwich! That's right. It was a Po'Boy, though, and the bread made all the difference. Also? The shredded lettuce. That is the best on a sandwich! I'm sorry to say I don't have a picture of my exquisite culinary masterpiece, Le Ham Sandwich.
Now, this girl...
She earned the title of Comedienne Extraordinaire. (Look at me using fancy French! That's not le only French I know! I learned quite le bit while we were there!) It looks like we were getting set for a wild night, indeed. Yes, we wild and crazy pastors' wives...staying up too late watching American Idol and chick flicks while having a beverage or two. (I had Dr. Pepper. Probably two.) Ms. Drink-Mixer there was the first to don the Mardi Gras beads. Fortunately, we didn't even have to go near Bourbon Street. But my funny friend kept the one-liners coming, and I think we all shared in the joke-making at some point or another so that I made at least one bee-line for the potty and one for the sink with a mouth full of water that just about got sprayed all over the living room.
I am surprised to say that New Orleans was a truly fun place for us to meet. It is full of historic and beautiful buildings (for example, the place we ate lunch that first day is the house where Napoleon lived while in exile here) (I didn't even know he was here, ever!), beignets (oh, lovely, wonderful beignets!), lively people, and horses, too. Right in the back window of your car!
Again, I'm sorry to say I don't have a picture of beignets, while I do have a picture of a horse. I'm not sorry about the horse picture, but I wish I had a picture of the delicious French doughnuts piled high with soft, powdery, fluffy, fine, confectioner's sugar.
We took a tour the first full day we were there; we started in Lafayette Cemetery, which is located in the Garden District, and then we walked all around the area where we saw some of the most lovely homes I've seen. They were really amazing because many of them are so old yet have been maintained beautifully. It was easy to see, from this area to the other parts of town, why people who are from New Orleans love their city and take so much pride in it. It was fascinating to get a history from our guide, and she shared some funny personal stories as well (my favorite was Nicholas Cage showing up for one of her tours with his family because his house was in her brochure).
It was fun to see the different styles all over the city, from the Garden District to the French Quarter, which (duh) had a French flair. We all loved the flowers and greenery that hung from balconies, and all the iron-work.
I learned about "Who Dat?" which was a highlight for me. "Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?" is shortened to "Who Dat?" and that is the phrase that you will find on T-shirts and other paraphernalia. There was a sign in the house in which we stayed that read "Who Dat or Leave!" and I could not make any sense of that! Once I heard what it stood for, again I got a glimpse into their love for this city and the immense pride that they take in their hometown everything.
We enjoyed walking around just being together; we caught a magic act...
and went down by the waterfront...
It was a little chilly on Friday, so we didn't go on the ferry.
We watched more movies, talked and laughed, ate some delicious food, and I just don't have words to express how much I love these girls. Writing this is making me cry. Spending time with them is life-giving.
Le Friends...nothing can take the place of very good ones.
Reader Comments (7)
Oh goodness, I'm trying very hard not to be jealous. Everything looks wonderful! Glad you were able to get away.
You lucky, lucky girl!
Like.
That looked like so much fun!! How wonderful to have friends like that.
How fun to spend time with your friends in such a beautiful place. I hope you really enjoyed your much deserved little get away! I want to visit New Orleans now!
I'm so glad you had a good time! The hubby is from LA and has been dying to take me to New Orleans. After this move, I'll need a vacation (and some of those mixed drinks!)
Amen amen amen! Good friends are so important! And so awesome :) Nothin' beats it!