Last weekend, I went to Louisiana for a wedding for a dear friend. The weather was amazing and the smells from all the wild flowers in bloom made it a perfect day. Tia looked amazing and so happy. I'm so happy for her! It was a good day, but then, any time I am in Louisiana it's all good.
I started going to Louisiana several years ago to visit some friends, Alfred and Janice, who lived in a little town called Maurice, just outside of the Lafayette area. I fell in love with the people, the culture, the music, and the food. It's home away from home for me. I try to visit as often as I can and every time I go, I experience something new. I've been to haunted plantations, The Myrtles and Oak Alley Plantation, and a wonderful alligator park the focused on preservation and education of the swamps and bayous of Louisiana. Of course, you can't go to Louisiana without experiencing the amazing local foods.. po'boys, crawfish and crab boils, gumbo, etouffee, oysters, and all kids of fresh fish. Strangely, one of my favorite stops when I'm there isn't for seafood, but Herbert's Specialty Meats, home of the stuffed chickens.They are whole de-boned chickens stuffed with various stuffings that are sewn back up, then rubbed with Cajun seasoning on the outside. Drool worthy!! The local shop does not ship them, but you can order from their Oklahoma store. They have become a favorite request from friends and family. My last trip had me returning with 43 chickens!!
I didn't get to see my friends on this last visit, but still had a great time. I traveled with two friends, Lisa and Eddie. It was Eddie's first trip to New Orleans and he had no idea what he was in for on the road with Lisa and I. We introduced him to Hurricanes at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop and Monsoons at Port of Call (along with their AMAZING burgers). We learned to cook at the New Orleans School of Cooking and had huge oysters and great food at the French Market Restaurant and Bar. Of course, we had to have coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde. I think we wore poor Eddie out. Nothing like trying to keep up with two tipsy women who go in two different directions. LOL!! Still, we all had an amazing time.
The trip only had two drawbacks. The first was a personal attack by a horrible little caterpillar, the Buck Moth Caterpillar. He got under my pant leg and stung my ankle and hand when I grabbed him to remove him. It BURNED!!!!! Evil little slug. He died a horrible death at the foot of my friend Eddie. The second drawback? Leaving.
Someday, I am going to live in Louisiana... mark my words. It's already in my heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment