Impossible, It's Possible

Background

Each year as the clock strikes midnight on my birthday, I silently reflect and usher in a new cycle. When it comes to welcoming in what I consider my personal “new year”, I am very intentional. I vow to leave behind what no longer serves me, open up to receiving what’s in alignment with my soul, and continue my focus on expansion.

Although I’m incredibly intentional on my birthday, I wasn’t always that way. The excitement of childhood birthdays turned into an early adulthood filled with lack-luster celebrations and low expectations. I had gotten so used to being disappointed because I wasn’t doing what I truly desired that I was even resistant to friends suggesting that I celebrate. The traditional “get dressed up and go to dinner” at the local chain restaurant was getting old. But, what was I going to do? Celebrate in a different city each year? Who was going to pay for that? Who would even have the time to go? Impossible. Or, so I thought. For a while, I wrestled with my inability to continue the tradition. I caved into saving what I could to make my dreams possible, and eventually, I was able to add the magic back into my birthday by doing what I truly love: traveling, trying new foods, chasing adventure, and having fun all with a dash of celebrating myself. I stopped waiting for birthdays to happen for me and started to make things happen on my birthday. I started to embrace the beauty and importance of celebrating my life with the people who love me.

New Orleans

Surprisingly, New Orleans is a city that I never dreamt of visiting. But, all of a sudden something in me felt pulled to see what the hype was about for my next birthday. I had a subtle, unwavering feeling in the months leading up to the trip that things weren’t going to go as planned. I figured that perhaps I was sensing that one of my friends wouldn’t be able to attend. So, I shrugged the feeling off not knowing how life would drastically change during my time in The Big Easy.

The road trip to New Orleans was smooth and driving through the vast swamplands in Louisiana intrigued me, as it was so different from the random patches I encountered in Florida. Upon arriving in the city, I was immediately captured by its magical, raw charm. The energy sparked something in my soul, but with a haunting undertone of its history both light and dark. Our hotel was nestled inside the Central Business District, a part of town I came to recognize as a mix of old and new, along with its close proximity to Bourbon Street. Everything was going as planned and there were no signs of what was to come.

By nightfall there was an air of exhaustion hanging over the group from the long drive, a walk around StudioBe, and a two hour wait leading up to our dinner reservation. In an effort to keep the party going, we walked from our hotel to Bourbon Street only to hit a standstill at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal. A flood of police vehicles with flashing lights colored the Bourbon Street buildings. It was being evacuated and shut down. The beginning of the end. Covid 19. We wouldn’t get to experience any of New Orleans nightlife.

The nightly curfew was enforced earlier and earlier. Dinner reservations turned into “to go” only and movie nights at the hotel. Daytime activities had full refund policies. The hotel was rationing toilet paper. Looking back, all of those moments foreshadowed what was to come: curbside food service, curfews on businesses, shortages in necessities, loss of jobs/businesses, total lockdowns and other unfortunate events. It seemed like that one unexpected moment in the French Quarter spread throughout the city and followed me home. The country was going into a total lockdown.

Several months after I returned home from New Orleans I began to feel robbed of what I didn’t get to experience due to the pandemic. I never imagined that my first encounter with New Orleans would be a mix of intrigue and uncertain paranoia. Or, that I would encounter a pandemic that would impact the world. My heart was set on immersing myself into the Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday Parade. I anticipated seeing the colorful, intricately beaded costumes. I couldn’t wait to hear the loud chants and tribes displaying the mixing of African and Native American culture. I envisioned laughing and feeling free while in a second line with my girls. I wanted to see a piece of history.

While I still want to see the Mardi Gras Indians, I’ve since made peace with the idea that maybe I’m supposed to see that part of history when New Orleans is ready. I wasn’t robbed of what I didn’t get to experience as a first timer in The Big Easy. I was being shown that while I couldn’t prevent anything that was happening, I could do my best at focusing on the present moment. In sticking with my tradition, as the clock hit midnight while stuck in my hotel room, I took a moment alone in the bathroom to leave behind the lessons of the past year. I chose to continue staying in alignment and seeking expansion. I reminded myself that I was doing what I love with whom I love: traveling, trying new foods, chasing adventure, and having fun all with a dash of celebrating myself. I got to taste the sweet, fluffy Beignets at Café Du Monde and Cafe Beignet. I got to observe the vibrant messages and murals of art at StudioBe. I got to stand beside the grave of Marie Leveaux and hear the history of the city on a walking tour. I got to see the murky, alligator filled waters of a swamp. Even when it seemed impossible to bask in my birthday celebration, I still made it possible and enjoyed every minute of it.

Despite not being able to experience the city completely, I’ve listed below some of the restaurants and activities I recommend checking out if you’re ever in New Orleans.

New Orleans Suggested Activities and Restaurants

Recommended Activities

1. Activity: StudioBE

Description: An art gallery located in a large warehouse displaying the works of Brandan “BMike” Odums. The artwork is large-scale, captivating, and speaks vibrantly about New Orleans, African-American culture, and civil rights topics. Self and guided tours were available.

2. Activity: Ultimate Swamp Tours

Description: A tour of New Orleans’ ecosystem consisting of the American alligator, turtles, birds, and other animals while floating casually through a swamp on your choice of boat at booking.

3. Activity: French Quarter Phantoms Cemetery Tour (St. Louis Cemetery #1)

Description: A walking tour that begins at a designated location, flows through historical areas of New Orleans, goes into one of the famous cemeteries, and back to the designated location. Some examples of what this tour included: Marie Leveaux’s above ground tomb, Nicholas Cage’s above ground tomb, Congo Square, and much more. There was a “buy one, get one free'' Hurricane Special tour package with online ticket purchases.

4. Activity: Treme Walking Tour

Description: A tour that begins in the Treme neighborhood, stops at the Tomb of the Unknown Slave, St. Augustine Church, Congo Square, and Armstrong Park. There is heavy emphasis on the significance of the architecture and influence of slavery upon New Orleans. I recommend taking a historical tour (there are many to choose from) that highlights the many cultural influences on the city, as it is vital to understanding New Orleans.

5. Activity: Street Car (Canal to LSU)

Description: A Streetcar from Canal Street into Uptown near LSU’s campus. I recommend taking any of the streetcars, as it's a quick, budget-friendly way to see more of the city while enjoying a relaxing ride after walking all day.

Recommended Restaurants/Eateries

1. Activity: Heard Dat Kitchen

Description: A hidden gem with flavorful Cajun/Creole dishes created by Chef Jeffery Heard. This is, by far, my favorite place to grab a bite in New Orleans. I highly recommend the bread pudding and can’t wait to try the rest of the menu.

2. Activity: Cafe Beignet on Royal Street

Description: An old-world style cafe that offers light, fluffy beignets and other options. This is my preferred beignet cafe with classic outdoor/indoor seating depending on which location you select. Although small, I love the Royal Street location because it feels like you’ve traveled back in time sitting on the patio with warm beignets nestled in the French Quarter.

3. Activity: Café Du Monde

Description: The most famous and popular place to get beignets in New Orleans/French Quarter as a non-local. In my opinion, the beignets are a little heavier but, still good. If you’re lucky enough and the line isn’t too long you can eat them on the patio. Getting them to go means shaking them around in the bag filled with powdered sugar.

4. Activity: Acme Oyster House

Description: Acme Oyster House is a Cajun/Creole/seafood restaurant known for their chargrilled oysters. I am not a huge fan of seafood, but I tried the chargrilled oysters and fried alligator. Both were flavorful and cooked well. The other ladies in the group got oyster shots and raw oysters.

5. Activity: Willa Jean

Description: A casual, hip restaurant with a bakery attached. The most enjoyed entree amongst the group was the Hangover Bowl filled with cheese grits. I preferred the pastries, the chocolate cookie with sea salt, and cornbread.

Drea'February 20, 2023