Heide and I started our winter travels for this year on November 1.  We are spending seven weeks in New Orleans before heading back to our son’s and daughter-in-law’s house in Ashburn, Virginia for Christmas.  Then it’s off to Nicaragua for four months (January through April). Hablo un poco de español, but I’m getting better.

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, city life is a foreign concept to us.  We decided this year to spend time in cities (New Orleans and Managua, Nicaragua) to sample city life, public transportation, restaurants galore within walking distance, all of the sights and sounds a city has to offer, and, in New Orleans, the music.  Music is everywhere here.

Spending time in a city without a car is a new experience for us as we are used to simply jumping in the car and going wherever we please.  No car in the city has its advantages (not worried about parking!) but it takes a little more planning to get around.  Fortunately, we have clearly been spoiled here in New Orleans.  The apartment we rented in the Uptown section of New Orleans is but two blocks from the streetcar that takes us all the way into the heart of the city at the doorstep to the French Quarter for 40 cents!  Although it was good planning when we made the reservation, it has worked out even better than I imagined.  And, we have discovered the joys of Uber !!!

One of the nicest surprises has been the people of New Orleans.  I have traveled to many cities throughout the United States and abroad over the years, but the people of New Orleans win the award for being the friendliest city-folk I’ve ever been around.  We have been walking 3-5 miles daily in the city and everyone we pass is forthcoming with a smile and “Hello.”  Home re-modelers in the neighborhood have stopped working to say “Hello” and strike up a conversation about the weather, the Saints, or simply what a beautiful day it is.  “Y’all have a great day” is heard frequently.

On our very first day in New Orleans, the owner of the apartment we are renting (Larry) extended an invitation from his friend Patti to join him, her and her family for Thanksgiving dinner.  This was sight unseen–we could have been ax murderers from the hills for all they knew (I don’t even own an ax by the way…anymore !!!)–but a warm and welcoming invitation was extended nonetheless.  Since the kiddies (Mark, Eileen, and Thomas) were unable to make the trip to New Orleans as originally planned, Heide and I faced the prospect of spending time together alone on Thanksgiving for the first time in memory.  I rarely warm up to strangers quickly but, even so, we accepted the invitation and with some trepidation faced the prospect of sitting down for an intimate dinner with complete strangers!

Everyone in Patti’s family (her mother Mary Lou, her sister “Sweetie,” her brother-in-law Tim, and her nephew Timothy) and Larry made us feel like we were the long lost cousins from Pennsylvania right from the start !!!  Patti’s brother Glenn and her sister-in-law Beth, joined us later for dessert.  Conversation flowed easily as if we had known each other for years.

The hors d’ oeuvres, drinks, food, and companionship of new found friends for Thanksgiving are, and will remain, the highlight of our stay in New Orleans.  It was a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving. Southern hospitality at its finest.  And they play a cut-throat version of Mexican Train.