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Crescent City, Big Easy, New Orleans - no rules, except no beads - I changed my mind, beads are okay

Cliff Hilbert said:
This 1890s brewery has been converted into a shopping center with apparel, accessory & gift stores. The beer never was very good anyway, although it was popular in N.O. for years.
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Good to know, although I will likely never go there again.
 
Hmm, I haven't been getting notifications on this thread.

Any examination of New Orleans deserves at least a footnote to king cake (see the book on the window sill). Its heritage is European, but in the U.S., as I understand it, it is mostly celebrated in and around New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The key aspect is that a baby figurine is hidden inside one of the slices -- so consider it a baby doll lottery obligating the "winner" to buy the cake for the next party. Yeah, there's more to its history and significance, but that's the real-world outcome.

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nevermore said:
Anyone who's spent time driving around New Orleans knows about the absurd road conditions. So--sure--fill those potholes with carnival beads.

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Unfortunately you are correct, the streets are horrible. I was born there in 1945 and lived there until 1978 when I moved to Texas, the streets were horrible then. On my infrequent visits back there the streets have only gotten worse. I'm glad I left.
 
This was among my final images posted at POTN, and I think it's appropriate here. I've pasted the copy below from a social media post I did last year.

I tend to let the photos speak for themselves, but yesterday I was moved when I learned the solemn history of the location in my photo.​
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When I photographed this cyclist in July, I was strolling through the French Quarter--oblivious of the history of the building behind him. The Jimani Bar is considered one of numerous haunted locations in New Orleans, but it's largely ignored due to the details of its tragic past. I'll remain agnostic on whether or not to believe in the paranormal--that is only a distraction compared to its weightier factual and cultural impact.​
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There was once a place above the Jimani named the UpStairs Lounge. It was a gay bar that also served as a meeting place for the Metropolitan Community Church--one of the earliest LGBTQ churches--and, thus, was an important establishment for the gay community in general. In late June of 1973--50 years ago--an arsonist attacked the property, targeting a large gathering of the gay community celebrating Pride Weekend. The attack claimed the lives of 32 people, including a pastor of the church. It follows that the tales of its hauntings are attributed to the victims. Reflecting on the current state of the world, imagine the public and media reaction of 1973--mixed at best, if not predominantly callous and cruel.​
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Regardless of our individual beliefs--I've encountered no organization, faith, government, or person who is beyond reproach, who is without corruption--every square foot of this earth is saturated with the history of savagery, injustice, suffering, and indifference. I strive to be gentler.​


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Antoine's Restaurant, established in 1840. According to their website, it's the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States. This was taken on our way out after a wonderful lunch.

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