Here’s the thing about New Orleans: It’s a city built on poor decisions. And when I say poor decisions, I mean of the delicious, deep-fried, definitely-not-calorie-conscious variety. Enter Café du Monde, the OG beignet capital of the world. It’s a tourist trap, yes. But unlike most tourist traps (looking at you, chain restaurants in Times Square), this one is 100% worth the hype and the powdered sugar lung damage. First Impressions: Powdered Sugar Enthusiast Paradise The man and I approached Café du Monde with the determination of people who’ve just Googled “New Orleans must-eats” and believe in following the will of the
Tag: Tourism
The National WWII Museum in New Orleans: A Masterclass in History and Humanity
Let’s be clear: if you find yourself in New Orleans, skipping the National WWII Museum is not an option. I don’t care if you came for the beignets, the booze, or to commune with the ghost of Marie Laveau. Take a break from getting your palm read in the French Quarter and step into this world-class museum, because it’s going to take you on a journey through history that will leave you shaken, educated, and—let’s be honest—more than a little entertained. The museum does not half-ass its job of explaining one of the most complex and devastating events in modern history. It is sprawling—five
Palm Readings in New Orleans
Ahhh, New Orleans—the city of jazz, ghosts, and enough fried food to make your arteries weep for mercy. It had been on my bucket list forever, and I finally made it! A city that wraps its sticky, humid arms around history and haunts, where Bourbon Street smells like the desperate aftermath of one-too-many-bad-decisions, and honestly? I was here for it. I went full-on tourist mode and I am not sorry about it. We’re talking graveyard strolls, overpriced bus tours, and gorging on beignets like I’d never seen powdered sugar before. I partied hard on Bourbon Street, made some spectacularly poor decisions (read: paid way
The Capitol – Then and Wednesday – Washington D.C.
It’s hard for me as an American to put into words the horror that was last Wednesday, watching what could only be domestic terrorists overrun the heart of my country’s government. I want to say that I’m shocked such a coup was attempted, but I’m not. Definitely shocked that the security detail was so pitiful given the obvious rage-building happening amongst Trump supporters on social media. I actually toured the Capitol on my trip to Washington D.C. a year and a half ago. I didn’t blog about it at the time partly because the pictures I took were pretty awful
National Air and Space Museum – A Museum in Washington, D.C.
I can’t believe my trip to Washington D.C. was a year ago. It seems like decades ago, an era before pandemic and a global crisis. A time when going to a museum was a fun day out and not a potential source of COVID. Le sigh. However, I can’t wax too lyrical about the National Air and Space Museum. Not because it wasn’t cool but because… I’m a terrible travel blogger. My problem is I go to museums and take a lot of pictures of crap without actually going through and figuring out exactly *what* the crap is. And being
Memories from Huntington Beach, California
My trip to Huntington Beach feels like a million years ago. Considering that my hair is long and brown in these pictures, you could say that it was at least two years ago. But quarantine has me thinking of funner times when travel was the *thing* to do and going out where the crowds were was not a nerve wracking experience involving the possible spread of COVID-19 I remember thinking of the absurdity that surfers were out in the middle of December which would be a wish for hypothermia if they did this anywhere in Washington. I was also vastly
An Open Letter to New Orleans, Louisiana
Dear New Orleans, It’s been two years since I’ve been to visit you, and I want to go back so badly it hurts. I want to walk down Bourbon Street, step into a night club, and maybe eat some beignets. Oh, and definitely get some fried chicken because for some reason, it tastes like magic in your city. Unfortunately, Mardi Gras, spring break and COVID-19 have taken it’s toll on your city and it breaks my heart to pieces. Your city isn’t made for social distancing. It’s made for get togethers, jazz shows in small venues… and beignets. Let’s not
Thrashers – A Food Stand in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
I’ve had a long time to think about Thrashers, and you know what? I still don’t get it. When we went to Rehoboth Beach, I did the typical thing that any tourist would do–Google must-eat things in area. Thrashers was the place apparently. It was touted as the “must-do” because if you didn’t, then you missed the point of going to the boardwalk. Okay, well then. Go to Thrashers. The only thing Thrashers served was French fries. Also, you had to salt them yourself. Oh, and you could douse them in vinegar if you so chose. Did you hear that?
An Open Letter to Portland, Oregon
Dear Portland, We did not start off on the right foot. As a matter of fact, you were kind of a sloppy second. Our original plans included going to spring training in Phoenix, Arizona… But that was cancelled so we ended up with you. One thing you’ve gotten right Portland, is the love of books. Anywhere else, and a place like Powell’s bookstore would go out of business. Instead, it’s a monstrosity of a building that I could get lost in for hours. It was everything I’ve ever wanted a bookstore to be! And despite all the panic regarding coronavirus,
Jewelry at the National Museum of Natural History – Washington D.C.
I didn’t take many pictures, because the gemstones were so bright they were actually blinding my camera. Check it out. Can you imagine the bling that was happening in real life? I feel like it was damaging to the eyes to look at these babies straight on! You really do have to see these gems in the flesh to realize just how brilliant they are! Obviously, we had to stop by and see the Hope Diamond. You know, the one that seems to be cursed and kills everyone. It is huge and ostentatious. There is some jewelry that I lust