My Magical New Orleans Memories

One year ago today, I was in the most magical of cities...NEW ORLEANS.

Best place I've ever visited, and it's the ONLY place I've ever been to that felt just as much like HOME as my own city.

The FOOD there was FANTASTIC!
The MUSIC was MARVELOUS!!
The PEOPLE were a potpourri of PLEASANTNESS!!!

While I was there it rained a bit (especially at night). That didn't stop me though. Neither did it stop the street musicians from performing on practically every corner, nor did it close the clubs on Frenchmen Street where I bounced in and out of each, enjoying the variety of local artists. In all of the bouncing from place to place, the only money I spent was for ONE Sprite. Didn't even have to pay to get into the clubs. As long as I could find a seat...I was set. Entertainment on a budget...that's how I roll!

In one of the clubs, I enjoyed a female guitar-playing vocalist (whose name escapes me at this point). Along with CDs that she had available for purchase, she had guitar picks that the audience could FREELY take. Say no more...I took one (pictured here). It's my small reminder of the GRAND experience I enjoyed on a rainy night in New Orleans once upon a time.

Looking forward to going back again, and again, and again.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's the best souvenir that you've ever brought back from a trip?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Coffee, Tea, and...

So it's been a little over a month since my trip to New Orleans. Man, I can hardly wait to go back!

I still have LOTS to write about my time there and tonight I'm going to take a little time to do just that.

***

Saturday night I hung out at my favorite Starbucks in L.A.

It's the one where I met "Joe" thirteen years ago, and every now and then I go because it simply brings back so many special memories. I also love the vibe. Good music playing and intellectual Black folks fill up the place. There aren't too many Starbucks that I've been to that have those elements. For this reason, I drive 14 miles just to be in that environment. Love it!

Although I'm not much of a coffee drinker (except for one cup a day at work), I do drink a lot of tea. That's what I typically get at Starbucks.

While I was in New Orleans, I got very acquainted with the nearby Starbucks on Canal and Royal. Not so much because of the coffee or tea, but because of the clean public restroom and outlets for me to charge my phone.

One day while charging my phone and sipping on the boxed apple juice that I'd purchased, I sat back and enjoyed the music being piped through the speakers. It didn't take long for me to realize that this particular Starbucks had vibe of its own, not exactly like my favorite one here in L.A., but one that made me wanna hang out for a bit.

So as I sat there chillin', I heard the live version of Erykah Badu's "Tyrone" come on. Now I've heard the song a number of times, so I am very aware of the fact that at the very beginning she comes right out and says, "I'm gettin' tired of your shyt..."

The song is blaring, and she's about to start singing. I'm wondering if they're gonna bleep the word out. Well, as I continued to listen I quickly learned that the song would be played IN ITS ENTIRETY...profanity and all. I wasn't bothered by it, and simply thought, "Well alrighty then. That's the way things are done here."

I sat and enjoyed the song...listened to it come to an end, and do you know...they played that song AGAIN!!! Back to back!

At that point I was convinced...this wasn't Kansas, and this IS how things are done in New Orleans. Cool!

Suffice it to say...I now have a second favorite Starbucks.

Now, Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are you a regular Starbucks goer? If so, do you have a favorite. If so, which one?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Here's the song. If profanity offends you, I thank you for reading today's post and you may want to stop here.