Louisiana

[Mr.B]

Have a safe, fun-filled vacation!

[billy.pilgrim]

The visit to Selma is a good idea. So appropriate this year in particular. But although Dothan sucks, he wouldn't have to stop there unless he needed gas. It's got a by-pass. I just like the route past Columbus-Eufala-Dothan-I-10 because it's usually light traffic, decent 4-lane, and, depending which direction you're going on 10 it's pretty direct. But yeah, if you're going straight to Mobile and west, Montgomery to I-65 is the way.

But I'm probably not the best authority on Alabama. IMNVHO, the best way to get through it is on a plane. Or the next fastest way you can. Others views undoubtedly differ.

But you miss the Loveliest Village of the Plains

And Toomers lemonade

[billy.pilgrim]

They be throwing moon pies in Mobile tonight

[Vrede too]

Not that I know any of this stuff firsthand -

What to do with one night in New Orleans

[O Really]

Not a bad schedule, but I'd do it a bit differently. I'd take the streetcar up through the Garden District instead of the swamp walk. Swamp walks are nice, but you can do those other places. I'd get my ersters on half-shell in the afternoon, chased with some beer, and save Cafe du Monde until it's traditional time at the close of the evening. I'd pick one of the many good restaurants to have dinner of authentic New Orleans food, then go out on the street. I'd start at a point away from Canal Street at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, that's the oldest bar in town. A little crowded, small, but work seeing for a drink's worth for the experience. Then I'd go into several of the many good bars along the way for local music - pick them by who's there. On any given night, you're likely to see some cajun/zydeco people you've heard of and most anybody is going to be good. Go by the takeaway window at Pat O'Brian's for an original Hurricane (yes, it's touristy, but there's a reason they're popular). Sit for a while in Jackson Square to watch the interesting bunch of people you're going to see, and then wrap up at Cafe du Monde. (somebody might mention to the author of the original article that it's "cafe au lait" not "coffee au lait.") And locals love tourists who bring lots of money, but it's not a good idea to start calling everybody "cher" and try to imitate their speech. They think you're making fun of them.

[billy.pilgrim]

Not a bad schedule, but I'd do it a bit differently. I'd take the streetcar up through the Garden District instead of the swamp walk. Swamp walks are nice, but you can do those other places. I'd get my ersters on half-shell in the afternoon, chased with some beer, and save Cafe du Monde until it's traditional time at the close of the evening. I'd pick one of the many good restaurants to have dinner of authentic New Orleans food, then go out on the street. I'd start at a point away from Canal Street at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, that's the oldest bar in town. A little crowded, small, but work seeing for a drink's worth for the experience. Then I'd go into several of the many good bars along the way for local music - pick them by who's there. On any given night, you're likely to see some cajun/zydeco people you've heard of and most anybody is going to be good. Go by the takeaway window at Pat O'Brian's for an original Hurricane (yes, it's touristy, but there's a reason they're popular). Sit for a while in Jackson Square to watch the interesting bunch of people you're going to see, and then wrap up at Cafe du Monde. (somebody might mention to the author of the original article that it's "cafe au lait" not "coffee au lait.") And locals love tourists who bring lots of money, but it's not a good idea to start calling everybody "cher" and try to imitate their speech. They think you're making fun of them.

Bet I know where you got your shoes.

[O Really]

Bet I know where you got your shoes.

I'll bet you do. I gottum on my feet. And I learned where they were at somebody else's expense, fortunately.

[billy.pilgrim]

Bet I know where you got your shoes.

I'll bet you do. I gottum on my feet. And I learned where they were at somebody else's expense, fortunately.

Cost this drunken idiot $10 late one night near Jackson Square. At least I talked him down from $20.

[O Really]

Everybody can learn something in New Orleans. Maybe we shouldn't have spoiled the shoe bit for JTA.

[Vrede too]

"spoiled"? JTA can use it on other drunk tourists to fund his trip, as long as he avoids the larger ones.

[JTA]

I stepped in a pile of dog shit in New Orleans.

[Vrede too]

Is that a euphemism?

How much had you had to drink?

[O Really]

This time of year, dog shit isn't anywhere close to as bad as what he could have stepped in. It's a good idea to wear a grubby cheap pair of shoes and throw them away at evening's end. And take a nice long hot shower.

[JTA]

[youtube][/youtube]

Is that a euphemism?

How much had you had to drink?

Haha nah. I literally only had a drink. I wasn't there very long. I explored one of the cemeteries then hit up the French quarter. It was really cool.

You know what tripped me out? The vibe the city had. Hear me out. When you drive into the city there are a few huge abandoned concrete skyscrapers. They reminded me of giant sarcaphoguses. Then there's the general feeling of decay due to damage caused by Katrina and the climate. There's a lot of dillapidated houses. Above ground tombs that appear to be a city within a city, but for the dead. There's the history of voodooism. The hedonism associated with Mardi gras band bourbon srreet. The live music being played on the streets. As I was walking back to my car, the Steamboat Natchez was playing music through its steam pipes reminiscent (to me) of a funeral procession. It was very eery.

The juxtaposition of all of that gave the town a very unique feel that I can get behind.

It was really neat. A nice break from the plastic world of Greenville.

[JTA]

Im fucking sleeping in my car tonight because the weather is supposed to be shit. Watch it not even rain.

[O Really]

New Orleans is unlike any other place in the world. Don't leave so quickly.

[JTA]

New Orleans is unlike any other place in the world. Don't leave so quickly.

I have to put on my fake smile and go back to my hamster wheel tomorrow, unfortunately

But I will be back! Next time with company!

[O Really]

Mix up some hurricanes or goombay smash, make a big batch of jambalya, get a bag of oysters, put on some zydeco if you got it, run the stream to the big-screen and enjoy a bit of Mardi Gras without the smell or having people barf on you...
http://neworleanswebsites.com/cat/tr/mg/mgc/mgc.html

[Vrede too]

Louisiana comes in dead last in new 'Best States' ranking

Louisiana is the worst state in the country, according to a new analysis based on health care, education, infrastructure, crime and other quality-of-life measures.

U.S. News & World Report, known for annual education, health care and other consumer-focused rankings, launched its first ever "Best States" list Tuesday as part of a new data-driven interactive platform designed to provide insight into how states stack up on various issues.

The review for Louisiana isn't pretty, with the state receiving low marks in individual rankings on crime and corrections (50th); opportunity (49th); education, economy and government (46th in each); health care (45th) and infrastructure (39th).

Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and New Mexico rounded out the bottom of the list.

At the top of the "Best States" list: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, North Dakota and Washington....

Best States Rankings
Measuring outcomes for citizens using more than 60 metrics.

#24 Florida
#25 North Carolina
#39 Tennessee
#45 South Carolina
#47 Alabama

[Boatrocker]

Louisiana comes in dead last in new 'Best States' ranking

Louisiana is the worst state in the country, according to a new analysis based on health care, education, infrastructure, crime and other quality-of-life measures.

U.S. News & World Report, known for annual education, health care and other consumer-focused rankings, launched its first ever "Best States" list Tuesday as part of a new data-driven interactive platform designed to provide insight into how states stack up on various issues.

The review for Louisiana isn't pretty, with the state receiving low marks in individual rankings on crime and corrections (50th); opportunity (49th); education, economy and government (46th in each); health care (45th) and infrastructure (39th).

Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and New Mexico rounded out the bottom of the list.

At the top of the "Best States" list: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, North Dakota and Washington....

Best States Rankings
Measuring outcomes for citizens using more than 60 metrics.

#24 Florida
#25 North Carolina
#39 Tennessee
#45 South Carolina
#47 Alabama

Having driven in Massachusetts, I find it hard to believe they included infrastructure in the rankings. Horrible roads and bridges.