If you guys didn't know John and I just got back from New Orleans. We had an eventful time! John had to go on business, I just tagged along. We left on Friday morning. Dad drove us to the airport where we had 2 stops and one delay. After a long day of traveling we took a 45 minute (about $40) cab ride to our first hotel. When we tried to check in they couldn't find our reservation and was very rude about it. I didn't bring the confirmation number with me, but I had called to confirm them already. They said they were full and even if I found my number they didn't have any rooms for us, even though not every one had checked in yet. I asked what he thought we should do and he said " I suggest you start looking for another hotel. There was several Huge conventions in town and it was very hard to find a room in the first place. Luckily John had brought his laptop and found us another place to stay. So another cab ride off to hotel #2. It was spendy for a mediocre room, but at least the staff was friendly, and it was for only 2 nights.
We then headed down to the famous Bourbon Street. It was a bit raunchy but John loved the music. The next morning we wondered all around the Riverwalk and the French Quarter. It was pretty crowded but we enjoyed the sights and the food...Po-boys, Etouffee, Jambalaya, Oysters, Bengeits, and more. Sunday morning John had to start classes and we got to switch to the Sheraton Hotel. (they only had 3 night available in the first place.) I just laid low. Monday was suppose to be pretty rainy so I went to the most expensive, most boring, mall ever and a few movies while John was in class. I also booked some tours for Tuesday and Wednesday!
Tuesday I went to some sugar plantations. My tour guide was great. He gave us a ton of history and a mini Katrina tour too!
It lasted pretty much all day and I was looking forward to a nice dinner w/ John. I knew his conference included dinner Sunday and Monday and apparently Tuesday too... John asked if I could go along for Dinner because he knew I was getting tired of eating alone. They said yes. Dinner was great! There was 11 of us and it cost $1300 w/o tip!
Finally Wednesday was here and what a long day it was! First we had to check out of the Sheraton and have them hold our bags. Then as usually John was off to class. Today me too! I went to a cooking class. I got to learn and taste Gumbo, Jambalaya, Bread Pudding, and Pralines! Yum!!! The class was suppose to end at 12:30 so I booked a swamp tour about a mile away at 1. You guessed it! The class ran over and I wasn't going to have time for tasting or shopping. I kept a close eye on the clock and really couldn't stay any longer. We hadn't even had dessert yet. So I got up in front of everyone, grabbed a bowl of bread pudding off the counter and headed out. Running the whole way and eating the bread pudding with my fingers I barely made it in time! The tour bus was even early of course! Now off to the swamp tour. I got to see some small gators and some beautiful scenery! The boat ride was fun too. John's class finished early so he headed to the historic Lafayette Blacksmith Bar. The oldest bar in the country. My tour guild said he could drop me off there but before I made it, it started on fire! Yes that's right FIRE!!! So John and the other dozen people had to evacuate. Unfortunately his credit card was still inside!!! He waited around for both me and his card. About 45 mins later the owner went in and got his card, he didn't have to pay his bill either.
Now a short walk back to get our luggage and off to the next hotel. This one was by the airport and pretty scary to say the least! The room wasn't non-smoking and reminded me of something we stayed in in Taiwan. I know this is long but there is still more! Now we were hungry so off to find some dinner. We stopped in one place but never got any service so tried another. It looked like a pretty nice steak and seafood place. The food was pretty good but our waiter was crazy!!! For real! Nice but crazy. When we first sat down he asked us our names... Then again and again. No mater what we tried to order he would say no you don't want that... He kept hopping from table to table, didn't get our order or bill exactly right either. He then apologized for not being on top of his game but at least he had our names down! Clark and Lisa! Yes that was them we were Clark and Lisa even after telling him our names at least three times. Toward the end of the meal we finally figured him out. We heard him telling another table he was drinking the "fourloco" before work. (That is the alcohol energy drink they just banned in Washington and other states)
Okay now off to sleep our our smokey room. We got up nice and early and made it home with little troubles.
There could be more to this story believe me, but to wrap it up I'll say...5 flights, 4 hotels, $100 in taxi's, lots of calories and oh yes, the fire. Overall the trip defiantly had some good times but I'm glad to be home!
P.S. The Hotel that wouldn't let us stay sent me an e-mail two days later asking how I liked my stay! Really!!!
Ok I'm trying to blog more as long as I don't have to do many pictures!!! John and I went to the ocean this weekend. We left Friday night after work and stayed at the Quinalut in Ocean Shores. It was nice. We had the surf n turf buffet. They had a hpynotist show going on. We really didn't do much. In the morning we took a short drive to the ocean. It was so cold! This is the first time I can remember seeing snow on the sand! yes it was that cold and windy too! We walked around about five mins. then got in the car and drove home. We stopped at the pet store, just to look. Then a movie. Then grocerie shopping and home. Then about an hour later off to a Birthday party! 
Sunday we played volleyball. We went 3&3. That's about how we usally do. Then I went home to get ready for a little Oscar party! I made Chinese food and had about a dozen people over. We had to turn our voting ballets in early and I won! 17/23...not to bad. All and all a busy and fun weekend!
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