Believe it or not, it’s been ten years since I last taught French. How time flies!
When I taught French, we always celebrated Mardi Gras with food, decorations, music, and fun. Today in my junior high English classes, I wore my Mardi Gras scarf and a few stands of beads. None of them even noticed–I’m not sure if they even know what Mardi Gras is or how it has seeped into the culture of New Orleans.
Dennis and I took a road trip two years ago–eleven states in ten days. It was the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I was planning to teach the book A Mighty Long Way by Carlotta Walls Lanier, one of the Little Rock Nine, and wanted to visit the Little Rock Central National Historic Site. You’ve heard about my goal to visit all fifty states by the time I turn fifty, I assume? Well, road trip was going to help me add a few states to my total, namely Missouri Arkansas, and Alabama. Well, when Dennis saw the itinerary, he suggested we go to New Orleans, and a new plan was born. I’d taught French for twelve years, been to Quebec and France (multiple times), but had never visited New Orleans.
We left Northeast Ohio on Christmas Day and spent the night with Meghan, Joe, and J.R. in Hamilton, Ohio, before heading to St. Louis on the 26th. Our second stop was Little Rock where we visited Central High School and the William Clinton Presidential Library. Next, we journeyed south to New Orleans, arriving on December 28, 2015, and checking out on December 31.Â
Our hotel in New Orleans was in the heart of the French Quarter, and I swear it was haunted. It was a great location–a few steps from Jackson Square and less than two blocks from Bourbon Street. The hotel consists of restored buildings from the 18th and 19th century surrounding a charming courtyard.
There is no room to park on the street, nor are there any parking decks or lots nearby. Luckily, the Place d’Armes Hotel offers valet parking–above their minuscule garage. Our truck took a little elevator ride up to its well-deserved resting spot, and we hit the streets.
Because the hotel consists of several old buildings, there are many interior rooms that don’t have windows. These are considerably cheaper, and that’s what I booked. Since the parking was almost $40 a night, I had to save money somewhere. Our room was fine. Everything was old, but what do you expect from a building that’s been around since the 1700s? It was a little freaky at night, even though we left the bathroom light on. I don’t have any proof of paranormal activity, but since this hotel is featured on the local ghost tours, I was a little jumpy.
We went on a mini- bus tour of the city (highly recommended) and walking tours of the Garden District and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was fun, with live music all around.
I’d love to visit New Orleans again some day. Until then, laissez les bons temps rouler, mes amis!
Watch for the Nashville entry (coming soon), if you’d like to know how this trip ended!