Day 30: 4 April - Jazz Funeral

Time to check out of Hostel #1! I've mentioned that Easter weekend was heavily booked out across the hostels in NOLA, so it was impossible to find one that could accommodate me for 5 nights. Over the 5 nights, I had to stay in 3 hostels. Hostel #2 was The Auberge House. It was in a different area to the Jazz Hostel, and quite a hike away. Armon was also checking out that day, so he offered a ride to my next hostel - in his rented Mustang. Some people travel in style - I make friends with those people.

Once I had dropped my bags off, we were famished so we went around the corner for some good old southern food at a place called VooDoo BBQ. The South has it right when it comes to food! I had a plate with jerk chicken, gumbo, jambalaya and cornbread.  YUM!

Armon and I said our goodbyes after lunch and I went down to the French Quarter again for a stroll around the French Markets. The streets in the French Quarter are absolutely incredible and always full of activity! On my way to the markets, I stopped at St. Louis Cathedral, which was full of local artwork and buskers playing jazz music. I wanted to buy so many - if only my suitcase could handle it! I had bought one painting that morning at the hostel (which supports local artists), so I was so happy to meet the artist there and see some of his other pieces.

Busking jazz band filling the street with incredible music!

Another local delicacy of Louisiana are their pralines. A sugary, caramel-y, crumbly piece of heaven! I bought 3 very small pieces for $6 and then decided to get my fill of them with free samples at every store I went past that sold them - I had become addicted quickly!

The French Markets were wonderful. Just like a market place you'd find in most cities, but the items for sale were quintessential New Orleans pieces - with VooDoo dolls, Fleur De Lis' and artwork everywhere. I definitely bought my fair share of NOLA souvenirs.

The French Market entry way and street sign

After the markets I just walked around the French Quarter, taking in the sites and sounds and loving every bit! I headed back to hostel once my legs couldn't carry me anymore.

Loved the architecture in the French Quarter

I napped and relaxed in the hostel for a while before it occurred to me that I should do something with my night. I had heard great things about Frenchmen Street; great restaurants, jazz clubs and not as many crazies as Bourbon Street. Armon was particularly keen on jazz, so I roped him along for the night.

We found an overpriced place with average tasting Po'boys (basically a sub) and alright live music - the one place in New Orleans! We then headed to the Spotted Cat, a famous jazz club in NOLA. It must've been famous because we were squished in there like sardines! We couldn't even see the band through the crowd. While the music was fantastic, it was hard to get into the mood and we were both so exhausted from our big days. My deep fried shrimp po'boy was sitting funny as well! After one more beer, we called it a night.


*Disclaimer for the blog heading, a Jazz Funeral is an old New Orleans tradition where a jazz band accompanies a funeral - this phrase was very prominent around the French Quarter.