And as you take in the heart of the Louisiana technicolour off the Gulf of Mexico. From the neon gates of his own perfect, peaceful park sculpted and manicured in his name, like the jazz trumpet blaring musician of legend. You'll think to yourself what a wonderful world as you see all this Cresent City Connection holds beyond that beautiful bridge of iron over the Mississippi.
It's Mardi Gras again in 'The City Care Forgot' that has overcame so much. The devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The ignorance of those in power who during the flooding and depression like hometown hero rapper 'Tha Carter', Lil' Wayne said, "didn't even leave a ladder". All to make it back on their own and still dance to this day with a smile of resilience and their own rejuvenation on their face. I mean this is a voodoo town that even has jazz funerals that party and celebrate life rather than mourn death. The party doesn't stop, even through the pain. Positivity over negativity. Love over hate. And when it comes to this historical landmark, it's own wonder of the world, the coronation continues.
And the music doesn't stop in the jazz bars of Bourbon Street. Because in this melting pot of Creole Cuisine, Gumbo and the sugar dust off your jeans of Beignets (I hope you brought a dust buster) everything flows like the time of your fountain of youth. And in a neon and amber on ice dream if you can't have a good time here. Then you can't have a good time here. Because in the classic French Quarter there is more than meets the idea of these perfect, in keeping traditional and beautiful buildings. Horse to carriage. Saxophone to trumpet. So open your French windows and see. Every corner is worth your camera. Every incarnation and Instagram. This place is instant vintage. Tomorrows tradition. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Las Vegas. You may have seen it all in the United States of America. But you ain't ever seen anything like New Orleans and the whole of the French Quarter.
New Orleans is also a sporting city and as the Mercedes Benz Superdome rises again in rainbow neon you can have faith in the saints. But buzzing like the Hornets they used to be named after in the always goes down smooth, Smoothie King Center (you must have one with your dog) across the neighbouring street (so close you could pitch a pass across) you can fly New Orleans Pelicans fly. At press time they have one of the biggest and best players in the National Basketball Association by the 'brow of A.D. Anthony Davis. But with the trade deadline looming like his feelings you may want to catch a game before it's too late. Although fellow 'cat Julius Randle and whoever they get in return for the giant Ant-Man will be bang worth your buck.
But forget four quarters we know this city is all about the ooh la, la of the French Quarter for all you monsieurs and mademoiselles. Now it may not be as romantic as Paris but boy are you going to love it. But if your heart ain't in all of that than you can always find the soul of this city in the traditional monuments like the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral of Jackson Square as you get your fortune read by hand and picture taken by pencil. Or the fabulous ferns of the Garden District. But weed them out and you'll love the bands that play. All the way to the scraping skyline and the illuminated theatres of Joy in the desired streetcars of the Central Business District.
But as the sun goes down and the moonshine comes up on Crescent City, it's time to take the Bourbon off the shelf as you spend a killer few hours in the French Quarter. Don't say no to the N.O. You've got the world on a string kid. Time to take it easy in the Big Easy. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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