Creepy side of New Orleans- Tribute Day 4

Part of New Orleans charm is that things can get a little creepy in the Big Easy...





















Looks like the set for a Hitchcock film



















Romeo spikes (on the pole in left of pic) were originally a way to keep young men from climbing up or escaping down the balconies



















Lots of formidable gates in New Orleans. This one was in a less wealthy area of the French Quarter
















This strikes me now as foreshadowing Katrina which came 6 months after our visit- Unfortunately after Katrina it wouldn't stand out now among hundreds (thousands?) still missing






Our Vampire tour guide Chaz sharpening his nails. You can check out his vampire New Orleans site here.







We had a guy tagging along behind the tour group which concerned Rick until he helped our guide with a prop- then Rick realized the reason he followed a few feet behind was for our security. Didn't get a pic of him, but he goes by Lord Micah, and you can see him here.
































Marie Laveau - Voodoo Queen




Voodoo museum






































Homemade voodoo doll we found (but did NOT touch) on the street in the French Quarter




Loved this creepy tree on our stroll around Jackson Square









Full moon New Orleans

Landmarks - New Orleans Tribute Day 3

Here are some of my favorite landmarks. I apologize if I got any of their names wrong. I found as many as I could online. When I was walking around snapping pics I didn't always stop to ask what building I was shooting!



St Louis Cathedral

After Katrina, President Bush addressed the nation from here










Andrew Jackson



















Louis Armstrong park sign












French Market











Leftover Mardi gras beads
















House of the Risin' Sun
























Preservation Hall. Just re-opened this week!









In almost every movie ever shot here : JFK and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil I believe had shots in front of this building. I couldn't find the name of it online.









Interview with a Vampire location
















More of St Louis Cathedral

-The Old Ursuline Convent. Supposedly, in the the nuns here became pregnant and
killed the infants, burying them on the grounds. Unfortunately, it must have taken quite a hit from Katrina as it is still listed as closed on the visitors bureau site.




note the shutters on the attic sealed shut. This is very controversial because they are supposed to be able to be opened to air out the attic. There are many creepy theories as to why they are sealed. Very creepy at night.









Our Hotel Le Richelieu















Buildings behind our hotel











RR tracks between Jackson Square and the Mississippi










Cool balconies












Andrew Jackson at night

Faces of New Orleans- tribute day 2

The hardest part of watching Katrina coverage was wondering what happened to all these folks we met during our stay, who likely didn't evacuate immediately.


This gentleman sang Amazing Grace as we were walking by, then stopped and gave me this huge smile when I took his picture. He came to mind later when I saw the emotional interview of Harvey Jackson, the man who was wandering around with two small children in tow on the streets following Katrina. He was in a daze after losing his grip of his wife's hand on his roof as flood waters swept her away from him.
Though we tipped this performer he never begged for money. Just like the rest of the musicians and singers we encountered throughout our stay, he seemed to be singing for the sheer joy of it.


That was not the case with he kids tap dancing with beer caps on their tennis shoes pictured below. They would stop performing and grab their cardboard tip boxes and chase you down. Though street performers are everywhere and highly tolerated with or without permit, these young kids were kicked out of every storefront.













The woman clarinet player and male tuba player were together, and some of the best talent we heard. She was on a special on New Orleans that was filmed before Katrina, but aired after.



















The painted mimes were everywhere, but these two were the best we saw. I particularly liked the bronze man who took his tips straight to the slots.

The balloon sculpture guy was a perverted, TB hacking nut. We disposed of the germ ridden pornographic balloon he made for us as soon as we could get away, and tried to shoo small children away from him.

I caught this handsome guy reading in the park

We had a chat with this British tourist- nice chap.

Rick snapped the fashion challenged duo.

Getting Sweaty with Harry (No no.... NOT Connick Jr---Harry Anderson of Night Court and Cheers fame.) Maybe he caught the "fever" from....

This singer givin' a Fever in Jackson Square

And the best for last....

The musicians were awesome. I wish I would have taped more so I could hear them again.

Singin' the blues in the streets

and blues in the bars












Singing do-whop on the sidewalks
















Jammin' in the park































And Gettin' down











And dirty on Bourbon Street