Welcome to Louisiana

While still in Mississippi last weekend they had predicted some fairly severe weather - heavy rain, strong winds, and the possibility of tornadoes - fortunately, we only have two of them.  The tornadoes did not materialize where we were staying, but the strong winds were certainly evident as they knocked those big pine cones off the trees.  You sure did hear them when they hit the roof of the motorhome.

On Monday we travelled (a whole 160 kms) to Abita Springs in Louisiana.  Here we called home the entire week.  And it certainly was a week of activity.

Bridge over Lake Ponchartrain

Marie Levau's tomb

A row of tombs

The Cathedral

Ceiling

On Wednesday we went to New Orleans (or as the locals would say - Naw-lins).  To get there we took the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway (technically a viaduct) which is the longest continuous bridge in the world at 38 kms (24 miles).  First stop was the St. Louis cemetery.  Because of the altitude (or lack of it as the city is 6 - 20 feet below sea level), everyone is buried in above ground vaults. Since most of these tombs date back to the seventeen hundreds, there are many in various stages of disrepair.  We did see the tomb of Marie Levau - queen of voodoo.  Many people draw three X's on the tomb and many leave offerings - small stones, candy, ornaments, flowers, etc.

Altar

One of the stained Glass Windows

French Quarter

The Pepper Palace

From there it was to the French Quarter where we visited Basilica of St. Louis built in 1721 - what a magnificent Building.  From there it was a tour of Bourbon Street and Royal Street and then off to the French Market.  As we walked around there were various entertainers from musicians to mimes.

Many of these rides around

As we toured we did a little shopping as there were a couple of things we just needed to buy.  We even had a chance to visit Cafe du Monde which was established in 1862 and make the original beignet, which we sampled.  I bought a mix they sell so when we get back home I'm going to try my hand at it.  I bet you are wondering what is a beignet - well it is a type of doughnut although square rather than round and served warm with heaps of icing sugar on top.   We also sampled pralines - mmmm good - we didn't buy any because I said "I'm going to try making those" - we will see!

Beignet

Didn't try these!!

Next it was a day of some maintenance.  The panelling around our skylight was peeling making it a real eyesore.  So Gerry (I held the chair so he wouldn't fall) scraped it all off, and we varnished it - looks much, much better.

Along the interstate

Then it was time for another tour.  I wanted to tour a plantation so off we went.  On our way, we took an interstate for about 50 miles which was amazing.  It was built through a bayou and pretty well the entire distance, it was built as a bridge. The views were great and it was an amazing drive.



Before we arrived at the plantation (which was a working sugar cane plantation) we came across a field where they were harvesting sugar cane.  One of the workers was waiting for someone so Gerry took the opportunity to chat with him to find out the process.  The harvester separates the leaves and chops up the cane into 12 inch lengths.  It is then hauled away to be processed. 

Front of the house

Back of the house

kitchen - separate from the house

Road to the house

Row of slave houses

Yup - 47 yrs a slave

Now off to the plantation.  While the main homes look huge, the original homes were not.  The main floor was originally open (because of floods) and were only closed in after the dikes were built along the Mississippi river.  The plantation we visited had 22 houses for the slaves where up to 10 lived in each. Something rather interesting was that in order to own slaves, you had to be Catholic and you had to make sure they were baptised as Catholics.

Cypress trees

A cabin in the bayou

We were done rather early so maybe we could get to do the swamp tour we had planned to go on.  Well we get there and guess what - they are all booked up.  But, they say, stick around and we will see what we can do.  They did get us on the tour which was excellent.  The boat operator chatted the entire time - described how they hunt alligators, how people have lived in the swamps, and so on.  And we got to see the alligators.

View from the boat

An Osprey

 

This week has been absolutely amazing.  We got to eat beignets, tried po-boys (similar to a sub but with french bread and much different fillings) We both had a shrimp po-boy and Gerry had an alligator.  That is an interesting taste - very similar to chicken in looks and taste although the texture is different.  I had a real tough time getting past the idea of what I was eating.  We also had etoufee which is a  thick sauce made from shrimp and crawfish and it was served with rice.  It was a bit warm and tasted very similar to clam chowder (I thought) but oh, so tasty.

Gator Po-boy

Etouffee

Today we bought some fresh Louisiana shrimp - tomorrow (maybe) we get to try some.  See if it is as tasty as what we have sampled this past week.

Our week is winding down.  Tonight they are predicting a round of rather severe storms again - hopefully they will not be as predicted.   This week's blog is rather lengthy but it has been a fun, full week.  That will make up for the weeks when it is quiet and I almost have to make something up.  I hope you enjoy sharing our fun and may you all (or is it yu'all) have a great week.