nawlins

Earlier in June, my four bridesmaids and I took a quick weekend trip to New Orleans for my bachelorette (my sister who is my maid of honor and a mother of two, reluctantly declined...).The five of us ate every four hours (rich, buttery, slow-cooked food like red beans and rice, jambalaya, gumbo, eggs benedict,...), drank hurricanes and Abita, and took in the Big Easy. New Orleans is unlike any other city I've visited in the U.S. The French Quarter reminded me, oddly, of Hanoi and Laos, which makes sense but would never have occurred to me without seeing it all in person. Visiting NOLA feels like visiting the past (the Mississippi River and levees, Jackson Square, plantation homes, music, and did I mention the food?), and its historical, cultural, and culinary significance will keep me coming back to this city again and again.

Despite the intended debauchery, our trip was actually relaxing. I was with fantastic company. Though my girlfriends didn't know each other very well before this trip (they span high school, college, and teaching), I realize why they're my closest friends. They share the same sense of humor (dry, witty, sarcastic), are amazingly generous (especially in spirit), and are all straight shooters. Together, we bonded and had a great time laughing, eating, and drinking our way through Nawlins. A big thanks to Michelle, Kaity, Karin, and Sally for making one of my last few weekends as a (technically) single lady memorable! XOXO, y'all.



Jackson Square and Sally making a few extra bucks.

Eating. And eating some more. My four lovely bridesmaids.


Eating and touring our way through the French Quarter and Uptown.

Night out #1 and #2.


Music on Frenchmen Street to start, Bourbon Street to end.