LET'S GO TO NOLA! Part 2.

Of course there were a ton of gorgeous plant filled balconies. Folks just create their own lovely oasis-in-the-air. The bottom floor is a restaurant called Herb Saint. It's right across from our hotel and we ate there twice. Excellent the 1st time and merely good the 2nd time.

This is also right across from Hotel Lafayette. The buildings are so old and pretty and rather European...no?

The St. Charles streetcar runs right out in front of our hotel and goes all thru the Garden District. Unfortunately...no A/C. Some streetcars had A/C but not the St. Charles. You can ride for $1.25 or buy a day pass with unlimited rides for $3. We rode it alot one or two days and took cabs the rest of the time. The taxis were pretty cheap.

I wonder how high dollar these apartments are? I loved them all!

Folks who live in New Orleans are proud of their city. They recycle everything...even turning alot of crap into ART. I like murals AND signs.

C.J. contemplates her Bloody Mary at Commander's Palace. The okra and pepper are skewered on a hunk of sugarcane. We went there for Sunday Brunch and it's a package deal: buy an entree and then pick out your appetizer and dessert which is included in the price. We ate so much and couldn't finish it and felt uncomfortably stuffed afterwards. This restaurant has been there since the 1880's and by 1900 gourmets from all over the world were going there. CP is in the Garden District and was started by "Americans" because the Creoles didn't want the new riff-raff in the French Quarter. What is Creole? You had to be: born there, French speaking and Catholic. The service at CP was off the charts! They did everything except feed it to us.

Isn't this absolutely wonderful? Look at the detail....love it!

This looks new but I'm sure it's probably restored. It's on the Whitney Bank.

Another cool sign. We didn't go there...I was just randomly takin' picture of buildings, murals and signs.

P.J.'s Coffee is based in New Orleans...good coffee....and this building is gorgeous.

St. Louis Cathedral overlooking Jackson Square. Folks have worshipped at churches on this property since 1727. This church has been there since 1794! It's survived lots of hurricanes etc. We toured inside but my pictures are dark. It has beautiful paintings on the high, high ceiling. This is supposed to be truly the heart of Old New Orleans.

It's good Ol' Andy Jackson. This was sculpted in 1856. The park and plaza are Parisian style. It's kinda cheesy/touristy around there but we enjoyed it anyways. We toured the Louisiana State Museum which is right next to the church...more on that later.