(Barry Manilow ’08 – Eight More Days..)

Greetings, from The Big Easy!!

Bourbon Street, Part One – Daytime

Mrs. That Dan Guy and I took our first steps ever down Bourbon Street yesterday, early in the afternoon. Much quieter than we had expected. Sure, there was some hustle and bustle, but nothing like we were expecting.

There are bars everywhere along the walk. Oyster bars, blues bars, and stripper bars. As we discovered when we chose one (in error) to go have some lunch in, and a couple of dancers inside were clearly not practicing ballet. MTDG was dragging me out, before I could get a clear view past the pole. One operation in particular advertised “1000’s Of Girls, & 3 Ugly Ones”…

We opted instead for another institution – La’ Bayou Restaurant. After we ordered drinks and had a chance to peruse the menu, we decided to go a wee shade out of our comfort zones. MTDG tried a muffuletta (available almost exclusively in New Orleans, and lip-smackin’ delicious), while I figured I’d have a go with some alligator. I had a fried alligator po’boy, and I will confess – alligator is extremely tasty. I don’t think I’ll enjoy my next Big Mac nearly as much now…

As we were preparing to leave La’ Bayou, I heard Mrs. That Dan Guy ask something that most folks probably don’t hear every day of the week: “Do I have any muffuletta in my teeth?”

After lunch, we were making our way along the route, and viewing the infamous balconies that have a life of their own during Mardi Gras. They all looked entirely innocent in the afternoon sunshine.

We were approached by a young gentleman that began to speak to me in a brisk pace, and clearly intended to impress me with a little bit of psychic abilities. Turned out he was a huckster, a scammer, a fruit-and-nut bar. He shined my SANDALS, for a fee that he expected to be in the neighbourhood of $20. Grateful that he hadn’t held me up instead, I offered him ten bucks, and now feature the shiniest sandals in all of New Orleans. Until another rube tourist comes along…

Bourbon Street, Part Two – Evening

Holy Torpedo!

Does this strip ever come to life at night! Neon signs, music blasting from every conceivable nook and cranny, and loads of strip joints.

We wanted to hear some real authentic New Orleans music (as authentic as you’ll get on touristy Bourbon Street), so we poked our noses in and out of a few different saloons. Country Karoake - no way. Journey covers. Classic Rock covers. 70’s AM covers. Aye Caramba!!

We found what we were looking for in Blues Bar – smokin’ blues, with horns and walk-ons from Bourbon Street regulars. Picked up a CD from a guy called Rooster. He kicked some serious butt onstage. That was time well spent.

Further down the strip, we dodged more Journey cover bands, and what sounded like a reggae version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Once we peeked into Maison Bourbon, we knew we had found what we were looking for. New Orleans Jazz, the way it’s supposed to be played – with a clarinet, trumpet, and upright bass among the instrumentalists. We stayed for a couple of sets, before heading back to the hotel.

The adventure continues today….

Chow for now!