NOLA was in my travel bucket list for some time. In 2022, I kind of became determined to making it happen. My birthday is always the perfect opportunity for a mini get-away so I just started planning early and went for it.
From the colorfully painted French colonial architecture, rich history, amazing food and warmth of the people, New Orleans fed my soul exactly what it needed. The French Quarter looked like a piece of Cap-Haitien, a city in the northern part of Haiti, mirrored in New Orleans. Fun fact for you, historians often refer to New Orleans as Cap-Haitian’s sister city.
After the Haitian Revolution there was an influx of Haitians who left the country and settled in New Orleans. If you do even ten minutes of research you’ll find that the Creole language, the flavors, the art and culture of New Orleans, have a lot of Caribbean roots and especially Haitian influence. Being Haitian, born and raised, I felt this overwhelming sense of familiarity throughout the trip.
The connection between the two places is so undeniable. I wish more people knew about the history and how it continues to shape this charming and vibrant city.
…..I can’t wait to go back to NOLA.
Where I stayed:
Hotel Le Marais. I was in the heart of the French Quarter. Everything was a 10-15 minutes walk away which was great. I probably would have taken advantage of the hotel amenities more if it was the summer and it was hot but this was the fall. Although it was sunny, it was not warm. Plus, I was only in NOLA for three full days and wanted to be in the streets frolicking, lol. I was honestly only in the hotel to sleep.
My room faced the courtyard. The little rays of sunlight filtering through the French windows were a cute view to wake up to in the morning. The room was spotless and the bedding felt like a cloud. I slept like a newborn baby. The pool area was the perfect backdrop for pictures.
What I did:
- Walked around the French Quarter
- Walked Bourbon Streets at night. It was chaotic, lol, but I also met and saw some amazing talent.
- I met an incredible sax player who shared with me the story of his time in France. He went for a short trip, ended up staying there for much longer than expected and learned to speak French fluently. When I told him that I was Haitian, we transitioned into conversing in French. I don’t practice enough so I struggled a bit but he was encouraging and would wait for me to find the words. He told me about how much he loves Caribbean people. He told me he had also spent a couple of years in Brazil and had fallen in love with the country. Now, his life takes him back and forth between Brazil and NOLA, spending a few years in each place. These small moments sometimes are the highlights of my trips. I love meeting people and hearing their stories.
- One night I wandered into a bar with live music. I was practically forced to buy a shot from the shot girls, lol, but honestly I was unbothered. I was enjoying the music and being in the moment.
- Every night the streets were lined with performers, some on the sidewalks and some in the middle of the road. There were dancers, drummers and singers. I couldn’t help stopping to appreciate their artistry, especially the musicians.
- I also got to see a mini parade one night which was cool.
- Visited the French Market
- Visited the New Orleans Botanical Garden
I love plants, so I was in my element here. It was incredibly tranquil, peaceful and serene. You get the vibe.
The only cautionary advice I would give is, if you decide to go here, go during the day when the sun is out because once the sun starts to set, the mosquitoes start getting friendly 🙂
The Chinese Garden was one of my favorite spaces in the whole garden.
The Greenhouse was my second favorite space in the garden.
- Visited a few galleries
… yes, I asked before taking photos.
Kezic Gallery
Everywhere I turned there was a gallery, each one offering something unique. I was surrounded by vibrant colors. The passion and creativity that NOLA artists bring to their craft is truly mesmerizing. The meticulous application of thick of paint, the scale of the paintings, the subjects they choose to depict…There was a story being told with every piece. There were moments when I had to sit for a minute to take in the beauty.
Michalopoulos Gallery
Where I ate:
Let me tell you, I indulged, lol, but unfortunately I did not take enough photos so I will list the spots I tried with a brief review and include a little collage with as many decent photos as I can string together…but listen…nothing was disappointing!
Cafe Beignet- The breakfast was good but the beignets are really where it’s at. Believe the hype.
Oceana Grill- I got excited and ordered more food than I could eat, lol, but it was bomb.com.
Napoleon House- The shrimp gumbo and cannoli from the below collage where from here. The dishes and flavors were simple but came together surprisingly well. I liked it.
Tableau- Immediately yes. It’s more upscale. I loved that there were different vibes throughout the restaurant. The interior was magnificent but you can also sit on the balcony on the upper floor on side overlooking Jackson Square. I had a perfect view of the sunset. (I’m trying to find the photo of the massive crème brûlée I got for free but I can’t find it. It was not the typical cup size. It was literally a large plate size. People in NOLA are nice but my waiter was extra nice, lol.)
French Market- I enjoyed seeing the artist work here more than the food. To me this is a good place to grab a drink and a snack. If you want an elaborate meal, I would recommend going to a formal restaurant. Cafe du Monde is also part of the French Market. People rave about their breakfast. I tried to get there early (or so I thought) one morning but the line was already long and I did not want to wait so I passed. Maybe on my next visit.
How I turned NOLA into runway…
…because we go on vacations to live our best lives and look good while doing it. Also, just for the sake of dropping another fun fact, other than the shot in front of the Miltenberger Houses, yours truly shot all of these by herself 😊
Here are the deets!
Skirt and bag are thrifted, shades from Target, boots from Amazon,
jacket from my mom’s closet (and she’s never getting it back).
Left photo shot at the hotel. Right photo shot at the Michalopoulos Gallery.
Dress from Zara.
Shot at the corner of Bienville Street and Exchange Place.
Jumpsuit thrifted.
Left photo shot at Exchange Place. Right photo shot in front of the Miltenberger Houses.
Top from Target, pants from F21 (from a long time ago), bag thrifted.
Shot at the hotel.
Fit from Meshki.
Shot at New Orleans Botanical Garden.
The left at the Shade Garden. The right at the Yakumo Nihon Teien Japanese Garden.
Lastly, a little commontion for the nails.
If you needed encouragement to go out and shoot your shots…
(I really can’t deny how much I love puns)
…. this is your sign! Also, if NOLA’s not in your travel bucket list, you should add it. I’ll be back to find my long lost cousin. Thanks for reading and ta ta for now!
