Discovering the Big Easy

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, even Memphis would have been more convenient a drive.

But, a year ago, when I was choosing the most ideal city to watch Bruno Mars Live for my sister, Lee, and my husband, Baron’s birthday, I chose a city 13 hours’ drive away – New Orleans.

Why? If we’re going to party with Bruno, it’s gotta be where Mardi Gras happens!

And so, well before I knew our good friend, Kristoffer “Toto” Wildoer was tying the knot the same weekend, we booked our weekend getaway to the Big Easy. As soon as we landed – yes, we decided to fly later on for many good reasons – it was evident why Betty Guillaud, a gossip columnist for a Louisiana paper in the 1970s nicknamed the city such, comparing the easy-going way of life there to the hurried pace of life in “the Big Apple” – New York City.

We were only there for a total of three days but It was evident in the people we interacted with who lived and worked there. It’s not that they cared less about the worries of the world or that they have it good. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. But what was shone through was that regardless of what life throws at them, they lived every day with cheerfulness and positivity – like life was easy.

I saw it in our Uber driver, a young grandma, who was “uber” happy to share the best places to visit, websites we can check for NOLA discounts and how to avoid traffic in the city when she found out it was our first time there.

Checking out places at the French Quarter, I felt it from the bartender who weaved quickly in and out of the bar that still smelt like flood water and mold so he could show me the choices of non-alcoholic drinks available from the stock room. I felt it from the energy of the musicians onstage at the Maison Bourbon Jazz Club playing at 3pm in the afternoon to a few patrons scattered across the place as though it was a full house one-night only concert!

I saw light-heartedness in the faces of the vendors’ at the French Market, whether or not it seemed like I was buying their goods.

They certainly made our trip as easy-breezy, despite not having any set itinerary (outside of the concert). We thought we could just see where the day would take us by asking around and we got the nicest people giving us the best tips!

Perhaps it’s the reason why a bunch of my friends professed that NOLA is their most favorite place to visit. Perhaps this is what attracts so many people to the city, whether it’s Mardi Gras season or not.

Perhaps it is also the reason why I enjoyed our trip so fondly and I know I will be coming back for more.

So, how was our Bruno Mars concert and NOLA adventure in a nutshell? I can only answer in true Creole fashion “Laissez les bon temps rouler! (“Let the good times roll!”)

Of course, I wouldn’t leave you without sharing some of the best tips we got that made our stay awesome! Warning. There will be a lot of pictures of us.

1. Book free or pay-what-you-want tours online ahead

Afternoon of our second day, we rode the streetcar, the NOLA equivalent of the L train, except it’s really on the street. A couple sitting in front of us overheard us deciding whether to book the expensive Ghost tour scheduled that evening. They advised us to check out FreeToursByFoot.com where they booked a cemetery tour and a guided walking tour of the French Quarter for free!

Most of the free or pay-what-you-want tours for that evening and the following morning were already sold out, as expected, but we were still able to grab a $16 Ghost and Vampire Walking Tour which was very enjoyable. We also found a St. Louis Cemetery tour for $2. The website is list tours in many American and European cities. Will definitely look this up anytime we plan on another vacation!

2. Mardi Gras World

A bunch of folks we met (and some Facebook friends, too) recommended we visit the Mardi Gras World to see how some of the Fat Tuesday famous floats are made. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The gigantic statues of all forms – from historical figures to cartoon character favorites – made for delightfully colorful selfies.

Most importantly, the stories and fast facts of the tour helped us have a great appreciation for the traditions and the long history of the not-ever-commercially-funded parade they call “the greatest free show on Earth”!

3. Hop on the St. Charles Streetcar

We took Uber everywhere but one Uber driver said, if we had a chance, we should hop on to the St. Charles Streetcar.

It was a very pleasant break from all the walking earlier in the day as we took a ride through history viewing architecturally preserved mansions on a line that has been active since 1835, the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. If you have time, you can also hop off on key sights and landmarks in the area like the National World War II Museum Audubon Zoo, Lafayette Cemetery #1 or shop and dine at the famous Magazine St The best part, one ride will only cost you 1.25!

4. National World War II Museum is must see. Here’s a secret.

On our last day, we decided to visit the National World War II Museum, after having lunch. An allday pass, well worth all the different exhibits you could see, was $27 but we spent a couple of hours at most.

We found there was a couple of smaller displays that was free to the public on the first floor focusing on “The Greatest Legislation: the GI Bill” and on the second floor, you could also take a peek at a gallery that looks like a 1940s style home to show the daily lives of American Families during World War II!

The exhibits were rich with artifacts and was so engaging, we learned so much given the limited time we have. I would definitely go back to see the rest of the exhibits next time!

5. You can find really good food at the most unexpected places

I am always for trying local food, avoiding any food chains when visiting places.

We wanted to try NOLA fried chicken and the nice lady at the tourism office was very confident that their Popeye’s was different than any other place. Luckily, next door was another chain that she said was just as good, Willie’s Chicken Shack.

It was the BEST fried chicken I ever had. And their biscuit – mouthwateringly amazing!

Our group was more adventurous with food trying out alligator bites and rabbit meat dumplings along with must-try creole favorites – crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, Po’boy and Beignets. They were all delicious too!

Still, I heard so many other good places people swear by like Commanders Place, Acme Seafood, Drago’s that we couldn’t visit. I am surely putting them in my itinerary in our next New Orleans trip!

Louella Maningas Cabalona is a singer, actor, and Senior Manager for Business Analytics, Sears Holdings. She is the lead singer of the Filipino Folk band, SamaSama Project; an active Board member of the League of Volunteers for Relief Expeditions and the Young Business United and is one of the inaugural delegates of the FYLPRO Immersion program of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. She is passionate about sharing Filipino culture in the modern world and actively supports all outstanding Filipinos around the globe. If you would like to connect, email louellarose@gmail.com

VIP Seats at the Bruno Mars Concert at Smoothie King Center, New Orleans

Lunch with Carmen Cagabcab, Sister Lee Maningas and Baron at Felix Restaurant and Oyster Bar on Bourbon St at the French Quarter

Goofing around the cannons on display at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France

Louella and Baron capturing the sunset by the Mississippi River. The Crescent City Connection Bridge hovers behind them.

The girls posing in front of the gigantic Lincoln Papier-mâché at the Mardi Gras World

Halloween Display at the Lalarie Mansion which is believed to truly be a haunted house

Guarding the main entrance of the National World War II is President Franklin D Roosevelt himself