Hatrack River Forum: Anyone from New Orleans?

This is topic Anyone from New Orleans? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=018684

Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :

My boyfriend's sister and her husband have just moved there from Australia - and not surprisingly, she's homesick!

So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for what she could do in and around New Orleans to take her mind off missing home. She's not working (and can't - visa/green card issues) but her husband is. No kids or anything (they just got married this year and are both pretty young).

So... helpful ideas?

Posted by Ethics Gradient (Member # 878) on :

I've visited there.

That doesn't really help though, does it?

Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :

well..........
no, not really
[Smile]

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :

There are 3 people in Louisianna that I know of:

Avadaru, Toretha, Maethorielle....

All girls around the age of 14-16....

I'm sure they know all the great places to go to have fun.

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

She might have fun in the French Quarter. And the Aquarium of the Americas down there is GREAT

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

oh yeah, and it's REALLY fun to splash around in the streets when they're full of water from the rain.

Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :

Isn't jehovoid in Louisiana?

Posted by Avadaru (Member # 3026) on :

French Quarter, definitely. Aquarium, zoo, French market, Julia St. art galleries, New Orleans Museum of Art, D-Day Museum, Audubon park, streetcars. Tell them to take a tour of the city, there are tons of them from which to choose. Also - tell them to visit Frankie and Johnny's restaurant if they can. It's kind of a hole-in-the-wall, but it's the best seafood in town. Also, how old are they? My sis and her hubby live there and love to meet new people.

Posted by Her Royal Sweekiness (Member # 5747) on :

Imogen, I like your handle. It reminds me of one of the coolest female characters in a kid's book.

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

listen to Avadaru-I've spent more time in Kennebunkport, ME than in N.O.

Posted by MaydayDesiax (Member # 5012) on :

Oh, most definately the Quarter. I just love getting lost in the streets and going into the shops... (I'm from Louisiana too, over by the Texas border, but we visit New Orleans alot) And they have to eat breakfast at Cafe Du Monde. And the aquarium is a must. It'll spoil you for any other aquarium, I promise you. [Wink]

It did for Bernard.

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

Oh, Mayday, I'd forgotten YOU lived here too....huh....

Posted by MaydayDesiax (Member # 5012) on :

[Cry]

Thank you, we only go to the same college, Toretha, I love you too. [Wink]

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

[Taunt]

Posted by BYuCnslr (Member # 1857) on :

Toretha!
:: thwack ::
She only lives a few hundred yards from you! Sheesh!

And yes! the Aquarium! it's gloriously wonderful, random stores are great, too. Remember to drink lots of water...and I don't mean the river water...dear goodness don't drink the river water [Big Grin]

wow, I feel so overly helpful.
Satyagraha

[ September 28, 2003, 11:22 PM: Message edited by: BYuCnslr ]

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

Bernard, you better be NICE to me.....you still need my help, yknow, and if you thwack me, I may decide not to help...... [Laugh]

[ September 28, 2003, 11:37 PM: Message edited by: Toretha ]

Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :

Ok so go to the quarter, the aquarium, splash in the streets when it rains and don't drink the river water... Did I get it all? [Big Grin]

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

don't drink the water from the tanks in the museum

don't drink the rain water

Posted by KEGE (Member # 424) on :

Don't send her tromping around the French Quarter by herself. Even in the daytime. If she does alone in the daytime, stick to Decatur St., Chartres, Royal not past Bourbon ( these are all parallel to the River). Pretty safe as far as French market goes, but be careful nearing Esplande side of quarter on Chartres, Royal, etc. The Canal St. side is pretty safe, but less good shops. Do the riverwalk, take a riverboat.

Also try City Park which has Botanical Gardens, Storyland (fun to see), amusement park. It's fun to ride the train even if you're a grownup! And go to the Lake Ponchartrain end of the park.

How old are they and what part of town are they living in?

Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :

There is a French quarter in New Orleans ? What does it look like ?

Posted by MaydayDesiax (Member # 5012) on :

It looks Spanish, Anna. And there are a ton of Ms. Cleo wannabes there.

Posted by jehovoid (Member # 2014) on :

These are all good suggestions. Definitely go eat somewhere. Also, check out Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral. This seems to be a good online resource.

Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :

Thanks everyone - I will pass it all on. They are both in their twenties and are living in the Garden District I think. (That is I think they're living in the Garden district - I know how old they are [Razz]

)

Posted by martha (Member # 141) on :

New Orleans is badly in need of money. Many neighborhoods are deplorably run-down, the class gap is shocking. If you take the streetcar along St.Charles Ave, you see the mansions with the leaded-glass front doors, but if you get off the streetcar and walk a block or two off the main street, you come to neighborhoods where large families live in tiny houses that are falling apart. The unemployment rates get higher and higher, and tourism doesn't supply nearly enough money to support all the people who've lost their jobs (or even their professions).

So my suggestion is, when she has seen the Quarter and the Aquarium and has walked along Magazine St and seen Audubon Park, she should find a soup kitchen or shelter or some other place where she can help the city by volunteering. It may not feel like home now, but when she can feel like she's made a difference in people's lives by living there, I expect she will feel more like she fits in. Just because the visa issues keep her from getting paid, doesn't mean there isn't work she can do.

Posted by KEGE (Member # 424) on :

No insult intended Martha, but a twentysomething girl does NOT need to be walking through many areas of New Orleans - especially "off the beaten path"! Volunteering would be fine if she sticks to facility run by a church or university program in HER area.

She is close to both Tulane and Loyola where she could take a class to meet people and keep her occupied. Art, or local history, or something she'd enjoy that might get her out on some "field trips".

There are lots of cool antique stores on Magazine and coffee shops, restaurants too. Also at Canal and Carrolton intersection. Have to go to Magnolia Grill.

Both Tulane and Loyola also have exercise facilities that I'm pretty sure anyone can join up to use.