Outer journey- Arrival 01/03/18

The train lady comes through and asks us not to leave our spots until she passes back through. She has to be able to open the door. Hearing the words that the door was going to be opening to New Orleans was like a breath of fresh air. Peace went over my body realizing the 17 hour journey was coming to an end, but the next few days I’m the city was just beginning!  The hustle and bustle of getting off the train was a welcoming sound. The smell of fresh air filled my nostrils. It was 20+ degrees warmer here. We stopped to take a few pictures to welcome our new city for the next couple days, New Orleans.  We entered into the station. It was very colorful and artsy along the top. Very bright bold colors were used. We waited to pick up our luggage.  It was a made rush to grab your luggage, I think it was more praying that it had arrived with us!  Whew there was my glorious bag!  My friend not so lucky. I felt awful for her. She tried to keep the tears back, but it was very difficult after the long tiring journey, lack of sleep, feeling like we were a little ripe (needing a shower), feeling rushed, and a little homesick already. Unfortunate her luggage had accidentally been taken off at the stop before ours. At least it was found.  We called an Uber to pick us up. It was a very odd experience. I’ve never been responsible for having a taxi or Uber pick me up. An Uber is done through an app. People volunteer their vehicles as a job, like a taxi, and pick people up. It is a heck of a lot cheaper than a taxi. The gentlman who picked us up was “Uber” friendly. Ironically he was from Chicago and had moved to New Orleans. He chatted it up with us for a short ride to the hotel. He unloaded our luggage and wished us the best on our trip. Quickly, our key card was passed out to us because we had 15 minutes to meet up and leave for dinner. I was exhausted. When I opened the door to our room I just wanted to lay on those crisp, white, clean sheets. The air had that hotel smell, that smelled more fresh than the train ride. I washed up quickly and changed my clothes and put on my walking shoes. Good thing because we were getting ready to hike a couple miles!  It may not seem very far to most of you but if your not used to doing it let me tell you it’s a hike.  Not to mention we had just had no sleep and a 17 hour train ride. It was cold outside. The winds coming off the Mississippi was chilling. My eyes were watering and ears were frozen. I knew it was warmer than home but it was still cold. The people of New Orleans thought it was horrifically cold. Signs were posted on shop window to come inside because it was warm. Bicycles were riding around offering rides with warm blankets. We informed him we were use to the cold weather, and it was way warmer here than at home. I really wanted that bicycle ride. I was tired and cold and we had just walked an extra block from taking a wrong turn.  Dinner was welcoming. I was starving. I wanted to try something new but wanted to know I was going to eat it. So many optioned but I ended up with blackened shrimp fettuccine. Never had blackened shrimp but it was good. The pasta was soft and the sauce was creamy and rich.  The restaurant was very small and very busy. It had great character and full of life. It was claimed to be the place where Andrew Jackson had met with the Lafitte brothers.  Dinner was delicious and warming to the soul!  Can’t wait to try another meal and see what tomorrow brings!!