We stopped at one of the above ground cemeteries. The story goes the Spanish, who once ruled here introduced this style of burial, though there are tales of coffins buried in the ground floating around in times of flood.
Some of the neighbourhoods we drove through had large, well maintained homes with shady, lush gardens. It was all very gracious and inviting. We saw impressive universities and private schools too.
I think a statue of Robert E. Lee is on top of this column. If not, it is Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans and 7th US President.
For lunch. I tried another Southern speciality: Jambalaya. It was spicy rice with slices of chicken and sausage inside. I really enjoyed it. Rob ordered a beer, but later the waitress arrived with a second beer and plastic cup. It was a 2 for 1 deal, so his second was "to go". New Orleans is nicknamed THE BIG EASY and it is LEGAL to wander the streets drinking alcohol, as long as it is not in glass.
We had time to kill before we boarded the steamboat Nachez, so chose to escape the heat in the shade of Jackson Square, where a light breeze brought welcome relief.
They claim the Natchez is one of only two steamboats still operating in America. We spent an easy two hours just chugging up and back the Mississippi. This river drains 40% of Americans rivers and streams, as well as two Canadian provinces, as it flows down. Such is the volume that flows through, that New Orleans has no sea water or tides.
We sailed past two US supply ships, called "roll rolls" as trucks and equipment can roll on,
I am fascinated by the idea of River as Highway. Here is another of the barges that get loaded in one port and move along the river to deliver its cargo down or upstream. New Orleans has lots of warehouses, with a railway track and roads that run parallel to the river and right beside these warehouses. Several cranes were swinging shipping containers onto various vessels as we sailed by.
We saw long lengths of the extensive levy system today, which rise nine feet above the River level. It is strange to look over and see how the houses the other side are lower than the water level.
We couldn't resist a second sampling of the flaky sweet treats, Beignets, then strolled along the riverside walkway to the mall, Riverside Outlet Collection. Rob was after a new polo shirt and some shops stocked them for prices between $90 and $130. At Gap, he purchased three new polo tops for $32. A bargain!
Outside the mall is the Spanish Plaza, with a huge fancy fountain. We ate outside in the shade at a restaurant there, where I had a shrimp po boy and Rob a hamburger. The paddle boss Creole Queen was docked right in front and a banjo player strummed on the top deck to entice passengers aboard. We sat and listened, then read, sitting side by side on one of three rocking bench seats, right on the promenade. It was early evening and the breeze off the Mighty Mississippi ensured a pleasant end to a long, tiring day.
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