New Orleans Day 4

Our last day in NOLA was bittersweet.  We both had our fill of the city and missed our families but also knew it would be a while before seeing each other again and didn't want to waste our time on vacation and nap even though sort of we (I) wanted to.  There were still plenty of places to explore!  So, we set off for a final day of adventures before our flights.  

We liked Hivolt so much we went back for more, this time trying out a few of their pastries, donut on top and my gluten free polenta bar (think of a polenta crust-less quiche)

and then finally to the cemetery.  I didn't really care which one we went to, although the voodoo queen would be nice to pay some respects to, we opted for the one nearest to our airbnb.

Finding thriving plants in urban environments is one of my favorite textures and juxtaposition to document while traveling.

And once we were in the cemetery I couldn't believe how much green there was.  I assumed it would be dry cement but the humidity keeps everything thriving.

I took photos of my 'favorite' tombs for different reasons, sometimes it was the birth and death dates, like the siblings who passed just hours after birth or the families who lost so many children.  Maybe favorite isn't the best word but most memorable or notable for different reasons.

Others caught my eye because of the greenery or this one wrapped in iconic N' O'leans wrought iron.

or this one with a gecko running around.  We saw so many geckos on this trip.

and these full on plants overtaking the corner of the cemetery.

even the large walls had ferns exploding from them.

Once we had our fill of morbidity we went back to our airbnb to group and plan for the afternoon.  

I found this on one of our walks though the neighborhoods and have never seen anything quite so beautiful, Alex told me it was a Magnolia cone, which we just don't have here. And she told me the wood is poisonous to burn.  Lots of things I don't know about plants.  Always exciting to learn more. 

After we packed and cleaned, and relaxed we headed out for our last meal in the city.  The rain started coming down really hard as we were driving, we considered pulling over but I knew where we were going thanks to my maps app and found a parking spot right outside The Daily Beet. we ran in with rain boots and jackets and still ended up soaked.  I ordered a lemonade while we dried off. 

Alex got one of their cacao nib smoothies and they gave me the over flow of it.  Love when places do this, no need to toss the accidental extra.

A got the avo smashed toasted while I oped for an unnecessary portion of thai peanut bowl.  I tried to have some self control as I devoured it but without much luck.  I managed to save about half for the flight but the peanut sauce was one of the best I've ever had and adding shredded coconut was a game changer.  Definitely need to attempt to re-create this at home.

And that my friends is how we ended our adventures in NOLA (well technically we ended with airport beignets but I didn't get a photo of that).

Thanks for reading along, I hope if you're planning a trip to New Orleans anytime soon these posts are helpful in finding things to do and places to eat.  Or if you need some inspiration for a bestie vacay, take my advice and GO! Until next time, xoxo.

     

New Orleans Day 3

When we booked this trip we had to be very particular about dates because of our work schedules and we found the perfect weekend, Jewish Holidays meant I didn't have to teach and it just happened to be over my bestie's birthday weekend, so on our third day in Nola we celebrated all the things she wanted to do.  Starting with coffee. 

 Paloma Cafe for caffeine. definitely wanted to stay longer and try all their food too.

 but alas, we had plans for breakfast and surprise thrifting.

 would have taken this couch home with me in one second if I could.

 we didn't buy anything but if I had any room in my suit case or money in my account, I would have hoarded all the treasures.

Satsuma // lox bagel plate.

 I did the green breakfast sandwich.

 and since it was a birthday we celebrated with a {pan}cake.

To walk off our decadent breakfasts we headed to the New Orleans Botanical Garden, where Alex was able to use her Denver Botanical membership to get us in for free.

As former art students we were enamored with the Enrique Alferez sculpture garden.
"The son of a Mexican sculptor, Alférez spent part of his young-­‐adult life in the army of Pancho Villa in the Mexican Revolution before coming to the United States. He studied with the prolific sculptor Lorado Taft in Chicago in the 1920s, then moved to New Orleans in 1929, where he lived until his death in 1999."

and just look at this pond and the lily pads. 

 tropical green house are the things my dreams are made of.

 probably talking about my future humid garden and how I need more lush leaves in my life.

 //mood.

 prettiest purple eggplants.

 and purple peppers! need to find some of these seeds.

 and the other half of my soul cacti.

After the gardens we ventured to Rosalie Herb Shop in search of stones and tarot cards.  I wanted something full of New Orleans magic.
This deck was full of pop culture significance but I opted for this one instead which isn't currently listed on their website. 

That evening we went walking, again, before dinner.  We were hoping to make a quick stop at the nearby cemetery, but they actually lock the gates so we found ourselves wondering nearby and absorbing all the enchantment of these extravagant homes.

After our self guided home tour we set off for birthday dinner.

Alex chose Johnny Sanchez for dinner because while Mexican food might sound slightly out of place in Nola, she's living in Denver at the moment with limited authentic Fine Dining Mexican restaurants. We're used to Tucson folks, okay. we need our salsa.

Award winning margarita with crushed worm salt rim? okay? I'll try it. I did half black lava salt in case I didn't like it, but to be honest it tasted just fine.  If no one told me it was worms mixed in I probably would have actually enjoyed it.

 Queso.

 Elote in a bowl.

 99% sure this is the Market Salad, she'll correct me if I'm wrong.

I got a Brussels sprout and butternut squash side and it was amazing, butternut squash, cotija, and jalapeno vinaigrette.

And finally cauliflower tacos, not as good as The Coronado but I can see why it was award winning. 

After dinner we were too full for dessert, but that's okay we had beignets the day before and that's enough sugar to last a life time.