There wasn't enough of a walk from the hotel to the cafe to give me a real chance to wake up, but once we sat at the bar and I got a cup of coffee I started feeling more like a human instead of a grumpy caveperson. I looked around, admiring the walls, the decor, and the patrons, and I could imagine this being a place I would come regularly for breakfast if I lived in that part of the city. Nice, open, bright—felt good to sit and just be.
For food, I got the Corned Beef Bennie and the Hot-Smoked Salmon Bennie. T got the Chicken St. Charles and Eggs Cochon Bennies. Let me tell you, T's were so good though my favorite out of the four was the Corned Beef Bennie, because of the horseradish cream—yum!
Next stop was the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the Old U.S. Mint. On the way there, we actually ran into T's long time friend on his way to work. Such a small world!
Once we got to the museum, it was awesome to see some of the old mint, but the best part is that I walked away from the jazz museum with a larger appreciation for Louis Armstrong.
They had an article up and this was my favorite part:
"Today I'm interviewed hoarse on the disc jockey shows, 'live' and on tape, here and abroad. I appear on top TV shows, such as Ed Sullivan's, singing side by side with Eileen Farrell, and there's no squawk. I appear in movies (almost 30) with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, and nobody thinks nothin' of it. They think it's just as natural as rain—and not only for me, but for lots of Negro actors, actresses and musicians."
That phrase just stuck with me—"natural as rain." I think that's my prayer for the future with all the stuff going on in the world. That justice and reconciliation would just be as natural as rain.
Another great quote from him that I just love is when he was talking about his home in Corona with Lucielle—he said, “You take this neighborhood we live in,” he told Ebony magazine in 1964. “We’re right out here with the rest of the colored folk and the Puerto Ricans and Italians and the Hebrew cats...What the hell do I care about living in a ‘fashionable’ neighborhood?” Powerful stuff!
We needed to cool down from our walk back, so we stopped at PJ's Coffee, which is next door to the hotel. I loved their wedding cake ice coffee. I guess anyone who knows me know I love anything with almond and vanilla and will take seconds and thirds of it!
Enjoying the air conditioning, we sat and I watched the people walking by outside. T is very good at not needing to make constant conversation, which sometimes I get insecure about because I think onlookers might think we're one of those couples that have nothing in common and can't talk to one another. I remind myself that isn't the case at all and it is wonderful to have a friend that can just sit and not feel pressed to fill the void with airy conversation when there's so much to take in, in just enjoying what's happening around us as we sit.
We walked to the river as we sipped what was left of the coffee. As we sat on the steps of the large gazebo/stage, a ferry passed by. The sound of the water, the breeze—man, if we had hammocks, we could have fallen asleep.
I also wanted to stop by Urban Outfitters, since I never go to the one in Memphis and had gone by this one on my last visit. I love looking at all the clothes and all the beautiful items that are out of my price range. I did walk away with some affordable lip balm that I like.
We walked to the river as we sipped what was left of the coffee. As we sat on the steps of the large gazebo/stage, a ferry passed by. The sound of the water, the breeze—man, if we had hammocks, we could have fallen asleep.
I also wanted to stop by Urban Outfitters, since I never go to the one in Memphis and had gone by this one on my last visit. I love looking at all the clothes and all the beautiful items that are out of my price range. I did walk away with some affordable lip balm that I like.
Our biggest mistake during the whole trip was not knowing that there was only one guided tour a day for the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. Y'all. If you ever go to New Orleans, please check this place out. It was so interesting. When we walked in, we caught the tail end of the tour and immediately felt sad that we had missed the rest.
We went back to the hotel, got dressed for dinner at Red Fish Grill, and really enjoyed the service and the food. I had the alligator sausage and seafood gumbo; T had the jerked black drum which was fish with roasted pineapple and sweet potato puree, black eye pea relish with goat cheese. We ended the dinner with double chocolate bread pudding; it was good!
Our night cap was meeting up with Bekah and Mario at Cafe Du Monde. I miss them so much. We laughed and talked for a few hours before we had to call it a night. It really refreshed my soul, just to have friends, grabbing a simple bite to eat and enjoying each other's company. It's been a struggle in Memphis to really have friendships like that, especially couple friendships. I miss that, so I was especially thankful for this spontaneous visit.
After saying goodbye we headed back to the hotel, where we were met by the doorman Lonnie and the Nancy, the lady at the front desk. Lonnie was great, he was also so kind and friendly, and ready with recommendations. Nancy and the rest of the front desk staff were awesome and friendly, with constant smiles. Just what people who are in unfamiliar territory need to see to feel comfortable. I really appreciated them.
We said goodbye to Lonnie since we wouldn't be seeing him the next morning when we checked out, thanked them for being awesome and headed up to bed to get ready for our last day there.
Our night cap was meeting up with Bekah and Mario at Cafe Du Monde. I miss them so much. We laughed and talked for a few hours before we had to call it a night. It really refreshed my soul, just to have friends, grabbing a simple bite to eat and enjoying each other's company. It's been a struggle in Memphis to really have friendships like that, especially couple friendships. I miss that, so I was especially thankful for this spontaneous visit.
After saying goodbye we headed back to the hotel, where we were met by the doorman Lonnie and the Nancy, the lady at the front desk. Lonnie was great, he was also so kind and friendly, and ready with recommendations. Nancy and the rest of the front desk staff were awesome and friendly, with constant smiles. Just what people who are in unfamiliar territory need to see to feel comfortable. I really appreciated them.
We said goodbye to Lonnie since we wouldn't be seeing him the next morning when we checked out, thanked them for being awesome and headed up to bed to get ready for our last day there.
