Now, I do realize that this is not the most wonderful thing I have ever seen, and we all know the reputation poor ol' Alabama has (especially when you were "raised" in Georgia like me) - but I have to say it was nice to see this sign. It meant that my vacation was about to start. The closer I got to Louisiana, the further the Interstate was off the ground. I like driving through swamp and marsh and over water. When I leave Louisiana in a few days, I will be driving on a raised Interstate for many, many Miles.
After driving for 10 hours, here is my first glimpse of New Orleans. It looks just like any other big city in the country. But then, I don't come here for the city experience, I come here for the French Quarter.
The Hotel is close to the SuperDome and since I made a wrong turn twice (despite having a Navigation System - but hey, it's New Orleans, I considered it "taking the scenic route") I saw the SuperDome twice and had a chance to take a picture.
The Hotel is nice and in the French Quarter. I dropped off the car with the valet and it is in a different building somewhere down the road. It will take them about 10 Minutes to get it back. I was in the same hotel with Patrick last year (I think) and everything is in walking distance. After sitting all day I decided to walk to Canal Street and then take a stroll down Bourbon Street. It was a bit late for Bourbon Street and there were plenty of strippers already out. I was walking in the middle of the street, just looking around when I got a ticket. I was charged with three violations: The first one I will not mention, the second one was "Guy Watching" and the third one was "Not Partying Hard Enough". Only in New Orleans! :)
Ich bin heute morgen aus Tampa abgefahren. Da es nur einen Weg gibt um aus Florida heraus zu kommen, bin ich stundenlang noerdlich gefahren. Dann bin ich oben links abgebogen und bin noch ein paar Stunden nach Westen gefahren. Nach Florida kam zuerst Alabama, dann Mississippi, und danach Louisiana. Je naeher ich zu Louisiana kam, desto hoeher war die Autobahn vom Boden weg. Die ganze Gegend ist im Wasser und die Autobahn ist ca. 20 Meter ueber dem Wasserspiegel gebaut. Ich fahre gerne ueber Wasser und wenn ich in ein paar Tagen aus Louisiana wegfahre, werde ich die ersten Stunden nur ueber Wasser fahren. Das kommt davon, wenn man Staedte in den Sumpf baut. Nach 10 Stunden Fahrt bin ich dann in New Orleans angekommen. Ich habe dann einen Spaziergang gemacht und bin zuerst zu Canal Street gegangen und dann von dort aus zur Bourbon Street. Allerdings ist das abends eher fuer Parties und Stripper und betrunkene Touristen, daher bin ich nach meinem Spaziergang zurueck in's Hotel. Morgen werde ich den ganzen Tag im French Quarter verbringen. Tagsueber ist es dort sehr schoen.
