Most Spur-of-the-Moment Trip Ever

Hi internet people!!  I'm super pumped that I get to tell you about my weekend today!  This might possibly be the most random thing I've ever done, BUT it was entirely worth every penny of it!  Stefan was leaving on Saturday to go to Germany for three weeks, so on Wednesday night Mareike and Stefan said that I cold have Friday off because Stefan wasn't flying that day and he wanted to take Bennet to the air picnic on base.  So, I decided I was going to New Orleans for the weekend!  I got a plane ticket, booked a hotel, and started packing!  

I headed out of WF early Friday morning and, after a quick stop at Anthro in Dallas, I got to the airport.  I've got to say.. after having grown up flying out of Atlanta, every other airport is a piece of cake!  It took like 5 seconds to get through security (despite the guy in front of me pushing a huge binder with his foot through the line and loudly talking on the phone complaining about how long it was taking...really?).  I convinced my friend Britt (who lives in Baton Rouge) to come pick me up from the airport in NOLA by offering him a place to sleep for the night on my couch.  

I stayed at the Queen and Crescent.
Its the building with the HUGE Zatarains ad on it.

We spent most of Friday just walking around the French Quarter and checked out the French Market.  After a huge meal at Bubba Gump's and a quick nap on my part, we hit up Harrah's!  While I am NOT a gambler (I'm a terrible loser and incredibly cheap... not a good combo for gambling), I had a GREAT first real casino experience (I don't count the cruise ship...Sorry Mama and Daddy!)  watching Britt play.  He played roulette and blackjack.  He lost some and won some but ultimately ended up breaking even.  I think I could handle that..

The next day we were legit tourists and hit up Cafe du Monde for breakfast.  Nothing starts your day better than fried dough and powdered sugar!  After breakfast we went to the Insectarium which was thoroughly disgusting yet, oddly enjoyable and informative!  We did not get to eat bugs though.  Bummer!  

After the Insectarium, we started searching for a place to watch the Georgia game.  Since the LSU/Kentucky game was on at the same time it was definitely a challenge, but we found one!  

After the game, I convinced Britt to go look at houses in the Garden District.  I figured I looked at bugs, he could look at houses!  We took the street car up to the Garden District and just walked around.  I took an embarrassing number of pictures.  Notice a trend?

After that we had dinner at Luke, another John Besh restaurant (I ate at Domenica on my last trip).  I had the duck and and Aperol Sour!  It was out of this world! I am definitely a John Besh fan!  

After dinner Britt headed back to Baton Rouge and I met up with my friend Zach from study aboard and his friend Brie.  We went to Pat O's and just hung out on the patio.  I had maybe half of a hurricane before I passed it off to Zach to finish.  I am well aware that I am a super light weight.  We had a great time chatting, catching up, and talking about all of the exciting things happening in our lives!  

The next morning, I hit up one of the community coffee shops and had the most delicious spinach and feta croissant on my way to the National WWII Museum.  It says to allow 2-3 hours to see it, but I easily could have stayed for 5.  The man that designed the landing craft that they used for D-Day was from New Orleans so the museum focused heavily on D-Day.  They also had a few good exhibits about the home front and a bit about the Russian/German front too. 

 

For those that don't know, I am fascinated with WWII history.  I don't know what that says about me, but ever since elementary school, I have wanted to know everything I could know about it.  I think it started when my Aunt Judy gave me the Diary of Anne Frank in 4th grade.  My favorite American Girl was always  Molly. I was the only 5th grader that chose to go to the Holocaust museum on Washington/Williamsburg.  I remember arguing with one of my middle school social studies teachers because she said that they didn't bomb London and I knew that was wrong.  During study abroad, I got to take a WWII history class and it might have been my favorite class I had in college.  I think it is because it was truly a WORLD war.  Whether you were in America, Asia, Europe, or Africa, everyone was affected by this one lunatic man.  I still have a  hard time wrapping my head around it.  I also see it as one of the best parts of American history in terms of patriotism.  The way the American people joined together for the war effort is amazing to me!  

After the museum, it was time for me to head to the airport and go home.  It was quite a whirlwind of a trip but definitely worth it!  I had such a good time catching up with Britt and Zach not to mention getting to see so much cool history.  I'm well aware I'm a nerd.  I blame Megan.