Iko Iko Un Day
As Hurricane Gustav approached the Louisiana coast, I thought back to how lucky I was to have spent several days in the beautiful city of New Orleans just a few months before Hurricane Katrina hit in August of 2005. I really enjoyed my time there and consider myself fortunate enough to have seen the great city before devastation hit.
Laurie was attending a convention for her job and I joined her for some days of relaxation. Her work days were over by mid-afternoon, which gave us plenty of time to check out the city. In the mornings, I usually roamed around on my own, basically walking a different direction every day.
We stayed about a mile away from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This is a spectacular facility (hosting about 95 conventions a year) spanning 10.5 city blocks along the waterfront. It is not simply spacious. It is beautiful and well run.
During the mornings, I checked out the French Quarter, the SuperDome, the lakefront art area and Harrah’s Casino. It was odd to see the French Quarter early in the day, when the wild crowds were not everywhere partying.
Together, we took a couple tours; one was a tour of hauntings. I am not a real believer in the supernatural, but this was an outstanding tour. I learned the origins of “graveyard shift” and “dead ringer”. Of course, some say it is simply folklore, good for naive tourists. Either way, it sounded plausible and was interesting,
The tour also pointed out the home of New Orleans royalty, Archie and Olivia Manning. Archie was a star quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in the early years in the 70s. Despite the team being horrible, Archie was excellent and the fans still love him (and his sons Peyton and Eli, current NFL star quarterbacks).
One of the best parts of our trip was after one of the tours. We decided to walk back to the hotel. We underestimated the distance, but we got to see so many great sites. We were very tired, but it was worth it.
Laurie was determined to eat some authentic New Orleans food, eschewing our cabbie’s suggestion of Harrah’s buffet. She eventually did find some good down-home cooking. Inspired by her, I even had a bowl of turtle soup (tastes like chicken).
We had our fortune told by some hipster in the Riverwalk Marketplace. I gave him no hints and I am not a believer, but I have to say he nailed some really oddball things in my life (past and future). Again, believe or not, but it was interesting.
We jammed quite a lot into those several days, and yet it was so relaxing (the Big Easy?). We really felt we experienced New Orleans. As the events of the last few years have unfolded, I feel horrible for the citizens of New Orleans, who have gone through so much. I also look back fondly at the wonderful times I had there.
-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
New Orleans has so much more to offer than just the Mardi Gras and the French Quarter party scene. It is beautiful and loaded with historical elements. The River Walk market place is wonderful. It is like a little slice of New Orleans all by itself.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’d agree that Archie Manning was excellent, maybe even great. Or at least he would have been great with a better surrounding cast. The NFL of the 70’s did was much different. Archie’s options were limited and he stayed with the Saints for most of his career. He even won an MVP award, despite the Saints having a losing record.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
This is exactly why I really try never to pass up an opportunity to go places. How lucky you are to have seen New Orleans back then. Cherish those memories.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Iko Iko Un Day? Who writes your headlines? That sounds like something you would write. Don’t tell me they are giving you more freedom. That better be the Dr. John version and not the Cyndi Lauper one.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Archie and Pete Maravich had similar careers in New Orleans. In a different era, Pete would have been a mega-star. Even so, he still ended up in the Hall of Fame, despite playing for the woeful Jazz (then of New Orleans).
September 4th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Only 2 guys can take a blog about the beauty and diversity of New Orleans and turn it into a discussion of underrated sports stars. For the record, Pete is in the Hall of Fame, so he did get plenty of respect, although I agree that in today’s game, he’d be huge!
Back to important stuff. New Orleans is so beautiful. I love the rich history, the French influence, the architecture and the frivolity at times. It is one of my favorite cities.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I had never heard the song Iko Iko until I went to New Orleans. I must have heard it about 100 different times, in a hundred different ways while I was in those touristy shops. Dr. John is like a hero down there.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
New Orleans really does have it all. Every big city can say the same, but New Orleans is often overlooked. It has sports, music, fine food, history and great location. It is right on the Gulf and the Mississippi River. The Convention center is enormous and it is run so well. It is a beautiful, well-managed center and is a credit to the city and the management.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Hot damn in the city! Great times…..LOVED the marketing campaign the CVB started post Katrina………
it was: Soul is Waterproof
September 8th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Scraps-I did write that headline. It was my first headline. I felt it was fitting for the piece since I heard Iko Iko about 100 times while in various N.O. shops. I do like the song though.
Orleeens McGee-That is a great tag line.
Tammy-N.O. does not have a history of great success in pro sports. Pistol Pete Maravich and Archie Manning are N.O. institutions. Like I wrote, even the tour guide pointed out the Manning house.
All else-Thanks for reading and responding.