New Orleans Round-up

I was just in New Orleans for a couple of days for the first time. It is definitely more interesting to go there on business than Atlanta. No offense Atlanta, but NOLA is more interesting. Now I say interesting because it is so different from Chicago or Utah - which is most of my experience in living places. We stayed in the French Quarter at the W. Not the big W that is a normal hotel - at the French Quarter W which is much smaller and was an old mansion or something. Being there on business I didn't have the chance to really spend any time sight-seeing, but we did eat at Mr. B's (BBQ shrimp that was literally finger-licking-tacular) and a couple of po boys.

We also took a stroll along Bourbon St. Monday night around 8:00. There were a surprising number of people just milling around between the bars and strip clubs. Pretty much the dirtiest place I've ever been. I wanted to take a shower after being there. I could never walk down that street again and be just fine. It reminded me of that scene in the old Pinnocio cartoon where he goes to that street or carnival (fuzzy memory here) and sees all kinds of indulgences readily available. I mean, I thought Vegas was bad, but this was just a glimpse into one of the circles of hell. It's sad really. Drunk people moving around like zombies. It was strange. Am I being too harsh? No. Larry Flint has a few "establishments" there. Need I say more?

The good news though, is that the business part went well. I have been sweating this project for a while and it was good to put faces to names and establish relationships. An interesting trip.