More French Quarter Photos

Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Where They Smoke Inside And Drink Outside

Boy goes wild!

As The Sun Sets Over The Mississippi, The Nightly Descent Into Debauchery Begins On Bourbon St

The Canal St Streetcar Line Goes Down Canal, Americas Widest Boulevard, To The Cemetery District

Bury me please at the corner of Myrtle and Magnolia.

The streetcars are a great way to get around New Orleans. Five dollars for a day pass that's good till four am the next day. Three days for $12 or five for $20, good on the bus system as well.

A Mardi Gras Parade, For A Film Crew, Three Weeks Ahead Of Schedule

Multicolored barricades at the ready

Along St. Charles Ave.

On the way into the station on the train I overheard someone talking about where she was staying in New Orleans: The Marquette House, for $20 per night.  My ears perked right up, as I had no idea where I was going to stay. She told me it's a hostel in the Garden District, on the St Charles Ave streetcar line with lots of cafes nearby.  We walked there together, they had plenty of room (don't try this during Mardi Gras), I forked over $100 and I was set for five nights!  Turned out to be a great place to stay, clean, friendly, a little quirky-just the ticket.  The weeks leading up to Mardi Gras are a fun  time to be there, the crowds have yet to arrive, but the city is already decorated and in a party mood (well I guess it's always that) and the weather is comfortable.  I had a great stay, I'd love to return, I took a ton of photos, so there will be several posts.  Enjoy the Big Easy!

This is not the Marquette House, but its nearly identical next door neighbor.

New Orleans Is A City Of Great Contrasts

Arriving there after two weeks in Mexico, I felt almost as though I was visiting yet another country- not returning to the US. At times I was momentarily surprised to pull American money out of my pocket.  As for money, I found New Orleans to be quite reasonable.   I took the train there from Houston, crossing high over the mighty Mississippi on the Huey P Long Bridge, a 1934 structure named for Louisiana's quite corrupt, yet very popular (he was a bit of a Robin Hood) governor and Senator who was assassinated inside the Louisiana State Capitol in 1935. It's a cool old bridge, serving both railroad and auto traffic. Arriving in New Orleans a few minutes later, the first view is of the refurbished Superdome, and the second is of an abandoned skyscraper.

The Beautiful Hotel Geneve, In The Zona Rosa Is A Great, And Not Too Expensive Place To Stay In Mexico City

Pedestrian Only Geneve St is just around the corner, and lined with cafes and nightlife.

I so wanted to nick this pillow, took a photo instead.

Evolving Transit Options In Mexico City

El Metro

Bus Rapid Transit

Bike Share With Lots Of Bikes

Bike Lanes

Walking

Old Reliable