Brandie’s Baby Shower and New Orleans with Devin & Chad
To recap with the bad first, during my trip through Houston, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, I accumulated two speeding tickets worth $450 total, neither of which ended up on my driving record thankfully. Everything else was great! Would also mark my meeting of Chad.
After spending a good amount of time at Bush Intercontinental figuring out which rental place was best suited to our rental situation, we left with a Pontiac G6 with terrible alignment. Car was decent, steering on acceleration, however, was dangerous.
We drove into Baton Rouge from Houston around 4am without having researched much in the way of lodging. Ended up at the Ramada Inn on Airline Hwy. Not a very impressive stay but for the price and timing, it had to do.
We got the keycard to our room. Much to our shock on walking in sleepy heads popped up in alarm. NOT vacant. For this error, we got two rooms for the price of one. Didn't really matter the rooms were pretty dingy - namely the bathrooms - Sleep is sleep [as long as no strangers walk in to startle you].
The reunion at Brandie's baby shower was a nice reunion of friends spanning the past 13 years. The blend of all personalities now more mature and remembering years ago - crises and fun times. We spent latter part of the day enjoying familiar company and catching up. It's been a while.
We stayed the night in Kenner at the Airport Motel 6. Affordable and decent accommodations. Sleep once again came easily. I ate a Sonic Burger and an ocean splash from Sonic which I believe gave me a stomach virus or some other related malady which lasted for several days. Devin and Chad had wendys and a chili frito something from sonic washed down with Coconut Vanilla Cokes spiked with Bacardi Malibu, pretty good combination for the drink might I add.
An ordinary Sunday in New Orleans, but the best day in the quarter I've had in a lifetime of going, and one of the best days I've had in a while in general.
Started with some walking around and a lot of picture taking. Of course, the only way I can start my day in the quarter is with a morning daiquiri - not that I really ever drink but, it's refreshing. $9 daiquiris is a bit excessive as a start, totally worth it. I got Vampire Blood (strawberry, grape, everclear and vodka) delish. Devin got an awesome Absinthe daiquiri and Chad mango.
Next stop, Cafe Du Monde, of course for greasy breakfast beignet goodness.
The weather was perfect, sunny, cool breeze (though still a cause for sweating, it wasn't sweltering as it can be most of the time).
Finding a table, daunting as always but a good one we did find. Apparently this spot with the nearby entertainment amounted to a time warp, where the passage of time slowed.
Talking, listening to the amazing sound of acoustic guitar and violin of� Tanya & Dorise.
There was something that had to be done to make them play some famous Nintendo song - Devin was DIEING to hear it. Eventually Chad stepped up to the plate, jumping over the seating area railing (splashing us with New Orleans muck from under a lose slate tile on the sidewalk) and asking them. He also purchased a CD. The Super Mario theme on violin played Perfectly and impromptu. I think Devin's life up to that point was validated immediately.
They played so passionately, most who passed went on with a smile. It was moving, and captivating.
After that was hanging out with Brandie again before heading home. We wandered around downtown Baton Rouge for a little while before heading off to eat at brewbachers and then to visit Jason's house as I'd not yet been. Had to stop and get another round of daiquiri first. This time it was Jungle Juice for me, Fudgesicle for Chad and Devin as usual being adventurous got a smoothie daiquiri comprised of� fudgesicle, banana and white russian mixture (kahlua / cream).
No trouble sleeping after the drive back to Houston. Crashed at Devin's, pretty good sleep.
Woke up at 10am on Monday morning, got ready for the day and headed out to return the car and pick up my own.
Went out to eat with Andrea, Devin and Chad, and walked around Hong Kong city mall for a few hours. Then it was back to Austin for me.
What a great weekend.