New Orleans and Me: Day 1

I noticed a lot of things this past weekend. I traveled 5 hrs (by air), including time change to New Orleans leaving on Saturday and returning on Monday. New Orleans has many claims to fame. On that list are Katrina, the recent oil spill and Bourbon street. I refuse to talk about any of them in this post. Sure, they may be known for fateful happenings but…….. New Orleans has moved on and are dealing. I hope you can too. First let me state some facts. New Orleans is pretty far from the coast land. It is rebuilding and recovering. Enough said. Really, New Orleans was, is and will continue to be a fantastic place to visit!

I want you to understand that New Orleans is a delightful mix of Spanish and French influences EVERYWHERE, Amazing historic places are every where you turn. Each of those places have a story. Each of those places are an experience of an awesome mash-up of of artistic abilities of all types acting, music, painting, sculpting…,,,, you name it. If you haven’t experienced New Orleans there is a good chance you have molded it into an incorrect stero-type. Please don’t, it is rich with culture and personality. I really feel blessed to know the city like I do.  Though New Orleans is like every city, it is unlike any city and that is exactly what I love! It is excepting, welcoming, adventurous, and even educational!

I had the pleasure of experiencing New Orleans with some bloggers. It was a non-conference set out to experience New Orleans and meet FACE to FACE!  It was a mix of adventure and education about the town and those that we wanted to get to know better….many of us (social bloggers online).

Day One: was fantastic!

I arrived by plane and instantly met Rhea in the airport. She is amazing and I was pretty lucky to be able to share a cab into the French quarter with her.  I am not a member of the momdot community so many of these people were completely scary to me…..but I learned what I was missing.

That night I spent and 1 1/2 hours connecting to people that except for a few I only knew face to face. That was amazing.

I wasn’t staying at the hotel. I was staying with the most amazing locals in the state. I am blessed. They love me-I love them. It took me a while to get connected and settled in. I missed dinner, sponsored by Harras Casino Bash restaurant by mere minutes. I did get a few extra seconds to hang out with my hosts, but I am sure I missed a great meal!

Ghost tour sponsored by http://www.lingerie.com/

I then headed off to a ghost tour with the rest of the bloggers. A lot like Cape May and Savanna Georgia, New Orleans tends to be the most haunted place in the USA. I am not saying that it isn’t or it is. I am not a ghost person but am glad that I had the ghost tour experience. If you go-wear your walking shoes. Literally, you will be amazed at how much you walk. (Thank you so much for http://www.lingerie.com/ for sponsoring this once in a life time experience) Did I mention I wore my pink New Orleans hair! (look above) No one can say, I wasn’t participating.   When I come….I come to party like it is today and celebrate the moment. After all, I am the founder of the Party Planning Professor. In true lingerie fashion, I did wear fishnet leggings under a skirt. It was hot. It was all in good fun. Did I mention it was hot? We had a blast. Thanks again to http://www.lingerie.com/ .

After wards, we met for wine and cheesecakes. (thanks bake me a wish) I loved the opportunity to just have fun and I even got to see a rehearsal for an American Idol. Cat is pretty good, and American Idol lost out on grabbing a bunch of mommy blogger viewers by not letting her get past stage one. Their loss! #justsaying!! Cat you rocked it! Your our mommy blogging singing idol. Especially when you went all gospel on us! Amazing!