NOLA...where everyone belongs!

We rolled into New Orleans with some trepidation. First about its reputation, for word on the street was that NOLA was smelly and dirty, which we never experienced here. Secondly, trying to navigate the small, busy streets that wove under the highway that included several tight turns, was no small feat. However, Doug never looks flapped and I try to be supportive by only giving helpful commentary and leaving out my gasps and woah's.

Nevertheless, our RoadTripper app - that we've come to love, told us to turn left, go under this bridge, then left and then right. To us, it looked like a one way street to nowhere, but we blindly followed with a big leap of faith and it worked. We've come to know, love and trust our RoadTripper app, in fact, it deserves a proper name by now.

At the end of the street, voila, there was an electric gate and a sign that read, 'please wait in your RV for someone to come greet you', so we did just that.

Not long after, someone came out, opened the gate and told us the campsite number that would be our home for the next week, or so we thought. We ended up staying an additional 2 nights due to weather, both in NOLA and more so where we were headed. They were expecting 4" during the day we would be arriving and the campground was dirt. Staying back seemed like a smart idea and it was.

We didn't mind, by then we had come to love our gated community complete with security guards at night. Most of all it was well planned with a combo of hardscape with efficient drains and grass for esthetics. This campground or more like a compound, had become our refuge after walking all around NOLA.

As we were setting up, I noticed that the RV next to us was from California. I asked them where and that started a long chat about living life on the road. My two take aways were; this was one of their favorite cities and commuting through Texas sucked because the whole city is under construction. Both things ended up being true for us as well.

The very next day we set out on foot, which was one of the draws of paying top dollar to stay in the French Quarter. We would walk until we either were back home again, or had surrendered and grabbed a lyft home. White Mouse got a break, for we didn't feel this would be a fun city to navigate or have our baby out, in.

Our outing for the next day was to enjoy the Hop On/Hop Off Bus. We love these attractions because it's a great way to get an overview of a city and not have to figure out parking several times in the day. It took us all around and gave us a feel for the city, plus the narration is always interesting.

After a full spin, which took 90 minutes, we decided to jump off and find lunch. There was live music in the square and the restaurant within ear shot was a great find. I had red beans, sausage and rice, Doug had a shrimp po-boy. Our server had vibrant energy and was wonderful.

We jumped or shall I say, hopped back on the bus to journey half way around the route again, so that we could hop off and see the Mardi Gras World. It seemed only fitting that since we wouldn't be in NOLA during the peak of Mardi Gras, which is when the grandest of floats are in the parades, that we tour the large warehouse where they are being made.

It was fun to see everything in person. The tour began with a short movie about the parade, the history of it and the floats of course. Then, we were escorted through the warehouse where props were stored, being redone into a new version of their old selves and the actual floats were there too. It was a visual buffet, for they had everything from The Queen of England to mystical mermaids.

We took a Lyft home, which is so interesting to see how different experiences can vary from city to city. Apparently they don't have such strict standards for the quality of the cars driving for Lyft, since our driver - who was a very sweet woman that chatted with us about visiting her dear Aunt in Temecula, had a gun shot in her windshield! We thanked her for the nice ride home, for it really was. I'm just still curious about the story behind the gun shot.

The following day we ventured out in hopes of taking in the entire WWII museum, which was humungous. It was really well done, from the moment we stepped onto a train that was stationary but gave you the feeling of being in a train during this time period. As we stepped off, then a self guided tour was at hand. Tom Hanks narrated a 4D movie that was so realistic and moving.

We had laminated cards that symbolized dog tags. It was random, who your dog tag was for. I happened to get Bob Hope, so at the various stations where you could activate a short video with your dog tag, mine was about Bob entertaining the troops and the dangers that came along with this act of service, to boost the moral of the troops.

After four or five hours, we decided that we would take in the rest of this well thought out and moving museum on our next trip back to NOLA. Four buildings down, three more to go.

We knew we needed to rest up for our big day on Saturday. As we plopped down at our dinette we agreed that we were intrigued by NOLA . We can't wait to see more. Gotta watch what you wish for!

Off we went on Saturday, for our big adventure. We had booked a Drag & Burlesque brunch at 1pm and decided ahead of time that it would be most efficient to pack a backpack with extra clothes for the cold night and just stay out to see the parade that was schedule that night.

We opted to Lyft to the hotel where the brunch and show would be, since it might be hard to time our walk and Doug was now graciously lugging a backpack full of winter clothes. Fortunately we had those compression zip lock baggies and were able to reduce our bulky jackets and sweaters down to something that resembled a brick of hashish. We also had long underwear, hats, scarves and gloves for they were having a unprecedented cold streak and that night was forecasted for the low 30's, which it was.

So into this trendy hotel we go, looking like campers who have shined up a bit. We waited in the lobby, for our time to be seated. After a pause, we were seated at a table for four, giving us enough room for our bags. It was an interesting venue for a show. White table cloths dawned the beautifully set tables and it was well lit. Well lit.

To the right of me sat two women who were casually dressed. Yet across the room was a group of girlfriends who looked like Celine Dion, Beyonce and friends had just entered the room! Sequence and glitter galore! It was fun to see how everyone could be themselves, which is what we have come to learn is our favorite part of NOLA, everyone is welcome and everyone fits right in.

Between us and the center stage, if you will, although there wasn't an actual stage, sat two men who we ended up having great energy with throughout the show, followed up with a wonderful conversation afterwards.

We ordered our gourmet brunch and sat back wondering what to expect. We would have never guessed. It was part drag, very small part burlesque as we know it and 90% strip show. The theme was Star Wars, since that was the theme this year for the parade that we would see that night. The MC was fantastic. A drag queen dressed up all in gold to be C-3-P-HOE (two syllables on the HOE!) The show really flowed thanks to C3P-HO-OE. The cast of characters were mostly women, with one male in the mix. They each performed a couple of numbers.

Neither one of us hang out in strip clubs, yet when in Rome..... and we had fun with it. I might have had a little bit more fun, as Doug was a bit taken aback. The expectation of tipping had been established and I happened to have a stack of one's since we like to tip in general, as we travel. I plopped my cash on the table and let the show begin.

So, while we were having our brunch, every so often, a performer would dance to our table and the woman next to me and I would tuck another one dollar bill under their G-string. I patted the last dancer's ass and said, 'this is from my husband', then remembered they said 'no ass smacking' at the start of the show, so I quickly added 'oh I'm sorry, I forgot about the rules' and she said, 'I could tell it was with respect' and it was.

Thankfully we had a nice transition by talking to Eddie and Horace, who we had been exchanging a passing comment in between performers with, as they were seated in front of us. We all agreed it was a fun show and a unique backdrop, of a fine dining brunch venue in full light. Full light.

Off to walk towards where the parade was going to take place. It was a couple of miles away but we had time on our side now. It was nice to take in the city at this pace. So much to see. The architecture is amazing. Those railings that look like rod iron are actually made of cast iron. Which makes sense when I see how intricate they are.

We popped into a store because it was called Chakras. It was a cute little boutique of mostly vintage clothes and some new items as well. We chatted with the guy working there, he was going to be in the parade that evening. We explained that we hoped to wait inside somewhere, have dinner and be able to watch this unfold from our table. Was that a tall order? He suggested we try to grab a table around the corner at a local bar and restaurant, so off we went.

This experience really exemplifies NOLA well. We approach the door to see that there are a few people at the bar, one couple at a tall table in window and on the other side of the door are two open window tables. Now, it's only 4:30 and the parade doesn't start until 7pm, which we've been told could be as late as 7:30, because.... you know, NOLA is laid back.

So, we stand there and ponder if it's rude to take a table on such a peak night for 3+ hours. Fortunately we did just that. We decided to sit down, have an early dinner and feel it out. As we sat there, the place filled up. Slowly but surely and we were really glad we took that front row table. No one cared if we were there for 3 minutes or 3 hours.

Meanwhile, a couple came in shortly after us and took the other front row table. They proceeded to drink, eat, drink, drink and drink some more. About two hours later their friends arrived and together they had another drink.

Once the parade started, the first couple went out to watch and instructed the other couple to guard the table. No, they said, 'hheeyyy, weee wannnaaa gggooooo taakkke innn thhhe pah-ray-dddd' and pointed to the table, as if to say - 'save this'.

Meanwhile, Doug and I had, one at a time, taken our brick of hashish/winter clothes into the bathroom to change for the night. Before leaving we went to say goodbye to our table neighbors. It came up in conversation that we saw their friends arrive, shortly after we had claimed our table. The guy was so shocked and said, 'you've been here even longer? How have you held up so well?' and I replied, 'well, I don't drink and Doug's had just a couple of beers.' The look on his face was priceless.

So, off into the cold we go and it was cold! We walked a little ways down the street to try to get a feel for it all. Then, we saw a small crack in the line of people and decided to see if it was cool just to join in.

We stood next to a darling family. The mom was a teacher and once she learned that it was our first time, she solicited goodies from the parade participants on our behalf by yelling, 'Hey, they are parade virgins, they need some swag man.' At the end, her son turned to me and gave me a metal button that is now proudly displayed in our RV.

It was a bit challenging to say the least, to get a Lyft to take us home. After several cancelations on their part, we walked a few more blocks and tried again. We finally did score a ride home and we were ready to be out of the cold.

Some traditions are near and dear to me, so Sunday I joined Haley and three friends for our annual women's goal setting brunch. Although it wasn't exactly the same as being there in person, it truly was second best.

When Monte and I were newly married and newly sober (all within 2 months of each other) he dove head first into goal setting and his passion was contagious. We set goals as a family and as a single mom, I continued to do so with my girls. I taught friends our method and still today, it remains as one of my favorite things to share.

It became an in person, annual event the January after I had purchased our current house in Pacific Beach, back in 2007. The gatherings always have a few of the same women along with an ebb and flow of others that join in the fun. It is always a great time had by all and is an event that many look forward to, along with me. I'm grateful for this community of women all year round.

Monday felt like a good day to hit up an AA meeting. We found a coffee house across the street and started our day there. I ordered two coffees and a kings cake to share. My luck has not run out, for it was my bite that happened to include the plastic baby, which represents good fortune for me. I was also lucky to have not choked on it!

This is a tradition that I had learned about while sailing to El Salvador. I think it was in Mexico that they had put plastic babies in their holiday cakes around Christmas time. If I remember correctly, that baby represents baby Jesus.

The meeting was wonderful and diverse, as you could imagine an AA meeting in NOLA would be. I chatted with a member afterwards who shared my walk of yoga and meditation, but to a much deeper degree. He had spent a year in a cave, up on a hill in New England somewhere - alone, in silence. It was a passing comment, yet one that I could have spent an hour talking about. Is that ironic?!

He shared that he was recently diagnosed with cancer and this was the first place he thought about going to gather himself. He lives in a home in New England and plans on returning after a week of meetings, reflection and whatever voodoo or woo woo things he comes across. All said with absolute love and respect for both this man, his journey and NOLA.

I wished him the best, gave him a hug and asked if he would be interested in our natural path's Dr. Moira Fitzpatrick's information, for one of her passions is caring for cancer patients. He smiled and said, this is exactly the kind of things I knew would come to me, I do, thank you!

We figured while we're out, let's go explore the Garden District per our friend, Britney's suggestion. She has an eye for design, both interior and web design (Thanks Britney!), so I trusted her lead. If we didn't love our family, friends and hometown so much, The Garden District would be my neighborhood. It was beyond rad!

The houses were amazing and the walk was relaxing. We sauntered into a restaurant called 'Gris-Gris' and it was the best meal I had since our lunch in Portland, Maine. I later learned that Britney & Sean ate at this restaurant as a result of her research. We were lucky to have happened upon it, or maybe my kings cake baby guided us in?!

We saved the best for last, so on our last full day in NOLA we set out for

a beignet and cafe au lait made

with chicory coffee at the

famous Cafe DuMonde.

It has been a landmark

and tourist attraction

since 1862, sitting right

on the Mississippi River

behind us and in front,

you will often find

street bands on the

sidewalk. As we approached

the restaurant we heard a 7 piece band playing iconic jazz tunes that are so well known for part of the Southern culture.

We snagged a table in the front and sat back to enjoy the live music. The musicians were friendly and so talented. The sax player said he was headed to Washington DC to play. He was stoked that he not only will be paid, but that they will cover his flight, hotel, meals and get paid. His smile was contagious and they were all wonderful. We really did save the best for last.

The next two days were all about laying low, letting the weather pass and catching up on things around and in our RV.

My next blog will bring us home. We have decided to pick up the pace and not only be home for Zeina's first birthday, but to have our RV/Trailer home with us too.

It won't be my final blog, for I have really enjoyed writing and hopefully it's been entertaining for you as well. I plan on being a tourist in San Diego and weaving in my Shari-isms and stories along the way!

I am grateful to my toes for the loving souls that I meet along the way and for the

ones who won my heart over, decades ago.

Thank you for being part of my world, Shari