Or, our first adult vacation since our honeymoon... with mom! :D When we first got there, I was overwhelmed with the humidity and all the action, thinking, "Ugh, I'm not going to be able to look cute...! And everyone here is kind of a trash parade...!" (It was St. Patty's Day weekend, of all times to be there!) And by the next morning, I was so liberated, like "Everyone's a trash parade, so I don't have to feel weird for not looking cute!"
We stayed in THE cutest little hotel by the French Quarter. It was old & quaint & had the sweetest courtyard and just adorable + perfect in every way.
We got in around night-time, and after we check-in our hotel, we bopped down the street to try Irene's, which was FAB.
Mom went to bed shortly afterwards, and Richard and I walked around Bourbon Street for a few hours!
We spent most of the time walking, which was awesome! (Way to balance out all the gluttony!)
Mom wanted to try a Hand Grenade, which at first sounded like it should come with a wheel-chair back, but! It was actually really tasty! Granted, we split it between 3 people, which was ideal given the alcohol content, haha, but I color me pleasantly surprised!
Outside the fire station, where R got a t-shirt, teehee.
Stopping in a random hotel on Bourbon Street to use their restrooms, trying to look like we're staying there, haha! I told mom, "if anyone asks, we are in room 235!" But no one bothered us because, as mom said, "thank goodness we look respectable." :P
We had to find Camp Street so R could take a picture near all the JFK-affiliated buildings (or lack thereof, haha).
Stopping by Central Grocery for their famous muffalata sandwich (and I got their stuffed artichoke, which was amazing!).
Mom: "Take a picture of me with the lingon berries for Stephen!"
Back at our hotel eating the sammy, and mom looking ADORABLE.
We waited in line for an hour for Acme Oyster House, and it was TOTES worth it. Honestly, the hour just gives you more time to pre-drink, and R standing in line gave me and mom enough time to find a restroom to use, hahahaha.
R in a stupor after his favorite meal in Nawlins. We've made chargrilled oysters TWICE since returning home!
Two appropriate signs to pose with, haha.
And I'll take this selfie as R's "sign picture." ;P
Mom and her new favorite drink, the Bourbon Milk Punch (which, for whatever reason, took me forever to learn how to say - like, 3 words, come on! haha).
We took a street car to the Garden District, and walked around a bunch!
IN LOVE WITH THE SOUTHERN PINK HOUSES, Y'ALL.
New Orleans porches, killing me with style.
A stop at Pat O'Brien's for an obligatory hurricane!
Beads still left over from Mardi Gras (we came during St. Patty's Day weekend, like a month later, haha!)
The cutest little hole-in-the-wall bar that made a very decent Bourbon Milk Punch (by that point, we were trying them all over the place). I truly loved this place, it was so chill and sweet.
Obligatory! Pro-tip: going at night was way better than standing in line forever during the day!
Gathering all our sweets we accumulated from the trip to try in one-fell swoop before we left.
Other memories, not to be forgotten:
- "OMG, our guy has BO!" (a text from mom as we Uber'd to the airport)
- "Mom, what are else are you going to do besides stand here and have to use the restroom more?" (trying to convince mom it was ok to leave R in line at Acme Oyster House while we found a potty, haha)
- Mom not realizing she was negotiating with this sweet Haitian booth owner for leggings. "How much are they?" "$35." "Nah, that's ok." "I'll give them to you for $30." "Mmm, I think I'll pass." "Ok, they are my last pair I have, how about $20?" "Oh, ok sure!" This was amazing to witness, haha.
- SWEET POTATO COOKIES AT LORETTA'S. Sweet Jesus, those were good!
- Our final meal on a roof-top patio overlooking the walkers.
- All the shopping! Such cute stuff!
- All the little videos on my hard-drive!
Mom: I'm so happy you guys want to travel with me...
Me: What are you talking about? I'm with my MOM and my HUSBAND, I'm basically traveling with my fan club!
Mom: I feel the same way about you two!
Richard: ... I feel the same way about you two!
