Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Nawlins

My husband brought home a New Orleans visitor's guide book and left it on the pillow. That was my cue. The next day I quizzed my coworkers about places they had stayed in New Orleans, as many of them have been there. That night my love and I talked about the pro and cons of different dates, and settled on an upcoming weekend with a couple of vacation days tacked onto both sides of it. By the end of the next day, I had booked a hotel in the French Quarter and investigated flight details. I didn't book the flight, because just that week a travel writer had told me to always book flights between five and seven in the morning, because that's when airlines release cancelled bookings, and you can get those seats at cheaper prices. I wanted to try it out. So on Saturday morning, just as the light began to ease into the sky, I lay under the covers in the glow of my iPod Touch, prodding my still-groggy husband for agreement as I sleepily selected and booked the flights. The prices were the same as the day before; so much for that tip. But now we two are walking around with delicious anticipation of our upcoming trip, relishing the thought of slipping away from the city for some good food, good music and good revelry in celebration of our twenty-fifth anniversary in August. Everything feels downright cheerful to me right now. Maybe the secret is to plan regular little escapes like this together. This is my new plan.

14 comments:

  1. That's so awesome, my friend!! Have the best time EVER!!
    I've always wanted to go there! I used to beg my first husband to take me there, which he never did. I divorced him years later and guess where he took his new wife for their honeymoon. :)
    I look forward to seeing fabulous pictures of your trip...
    and happy early anniversary!!
    Sending love ~

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds wonderful -- and hot! That means temperature not the honeymoon reveling kind -- :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh! Lucky you! It's an amazing place. There's a tiny yet fabulous bookstore called Faulkner Books, as well as a bookstore devoted entirely to cookbooks. Hope they're both still in business.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've never been to NOLA, but have always wanted to. That and Savannah. Something about the moss on the trees, the southern ghosts, the history. I'm enthralled. Bring back some good ghost stories.
    ;-)
    xoxo
    Rachel

    ReplyDelete
  5. i was there many years ago, but i remember the great bookstores, too. the music, the food: i've been dying to go again since we watched everything we could get our hands on about Katrina, after watching the first season of Treme...have a fabulous time!

    ReplyDelete
  6. what a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary!

    regarding your new plan - sounds great! i'm all for being off on wanders!

    laissez les bons temps rouler!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful idea! And yes, it will be hot. So what?
    Oh my god, you're going to have such a good time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh what a lovely way to tell you that you're going away. Have never been to New Orleans so can't wait to hear and see your photos!!! Bon Chance! (Thats about the extent of my french....)

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is a great plan! I am SO happy for you!!

    Oh, it's been so long since I've been to New Orleans, I envy you. You've never been? It's a great place to just walk around and look in bookshops and antique stores. Don't stay away from things just because they are "touristy", sometimes there's a reason everyone goes somewhere. Have a beignet at Cafe Du Monde and take a voodoo tour. :)

    And it is the most beautiful city to photograph. Have too much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That sounds awesome! I can't wait. heheheh.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mazel tov on this blessed anniversary. I hope the trip is amazing for you and R!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love that idea! Have a wonderful time for your anniversary and congratulations on 25 years!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gabriele, go with your artist graddaughters! I bet you'll have more fun with them! Love to you.

    Elizabeth, it will be hot, but i plan on not noticing it much, not the non-revelry kind anyway.

    T, thank you! We will look for those, and maybe bring our daughter back a cookbook.

    Rachel, don't wait as long as me to get to NOLA. Go the next chance you get. I can't imagine why I'm only now getting there. Oh, right, raising kids, getting them to school and activities and all that.

    Susan, enjoy your trip north and i will enjoy ours south, and we'll both report back!

    mouse, i am following your example with my new plan. going off on a wander as you say.

    Ms. Moon, we know hot, so I'm not too worried. Besides we can always choose restaurants, or other places with a/c or maybe those lazy whirring ceiling fans like the ones i grew up with.

    ABL, thank you! stay tuned.

    ellen, i will definitely think of you as i sprinkle powdered sugar on my beignet in cafe du monde! thank you, friend.

    Deirdre, come with me! Although I may not post while I'm there...

    koshercritter, thank you, dear m.

    Nancy, thank you, too!

    deb, yes it is. i told my husband last night that i suddenly feel...unstuck. love.

    ReplyDelete