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A festive trip to New Orleans - BA First and AA

A festive trip to New Orleans - BA First and AA

Old Jan 29, 2020, 11:46 am
  #16  
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Originally Posted by 757
I don't know what it is, but those pasta dishes that AA serves makes me so hungry sometimes ... Looks so tasty on this cold night!

Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading 757

Originally Posted by CLEguy
That is an absurd number of hurricanes. How many of you were there? I can feel the hangover from here.
Ha! 5 of us in total....... I think there were 25 empty glasses at the end of the evening.....!

Originally Posted by Grande Annee
Great as usual stu1985
Cheers Grande Annee - more to come!
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Old Jan 29, 2020, 1:27 pm
  #17  
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Up relatively early morning and off to a great place called Betsy's Pancake House. It was about 30 mins from my hotel so I just walked down there. I passed the fallen building again - it's crazy seeing the damage it has done.







Betsy's was absolutely packed when we got there - obviously it is loved by locals and tourists alike! After a great breakfast of eggs and bacon and a gallon load of coffee we headed off for a wander through the city. We made our way back into the centre and then took a walk down a street (can't remember the name of it) and looked at all the beautiful houses along the way. The houses were looking great - all kitted out in Christmas decorations. If only I had a spare few hundred thousand to buy one!











We also came across the tram and decided to hop on it for the novelty factor.



We got off by the university beside a park and walked through there. As we were, it started to rain so we hot footed it to the nearest road to jump into an uber and off to a bar for a small refreshment! Ended up at the Bayou Beer Garden in Mid City and enjoyed a few pints in the warmth of the bar. And then, because we were so close to it, we just had to drop in by Parkway's Bakery and Tavern to get a Po' Boy. I didn't't have a clue what these were but they are traditional sandwiches from Louisiana - normally packed with meat or fish and served in-between French bread. It was absolutely massive but absolutely delicious! I think a small would have been more than enough but I just couldn't resist going for a large one! After that great lunch, we walked back into the city. As we were walking down, the polls had just shut in the UK General Election so we checked what the exit poll was saying and then decided that we needed some more booze.....!

Preservation Hall was on the list this evening. I had been looking forward to this. It's a completely intimate, acoustic venue in the French Quarter. When we arrived, the queue was already quite long and the lady said that we were in the "grey" area and wasn't sure if we would get in that hour. However, luck was on our side and we managed to get in. Absolutely no photography or video during the performance but I managed to grab a few pics to show you just how cosy the venue is.





The 45 mins was just great. It was Gregg Stafford and the Preservation Legacy Band who were playing tonight. He was sensational on the trumpet and the backers were all great in their own way. We left the venue on such a high. If I am back in New Orleans, I will most definitely hit up Preservation Hall again!

The apartments in the French Quarter look lovely at night!





Next music venue - Mother in law Lounge. This is somewhere that I absolutely would NOT have gone had I been visiting myself. It was in an area of town which looked a bit rough and pretty much under a motorway. It looked closed from the outside when we got there but I went up and tried the door and it was open. Wow - the people in here were SO friendly. It was clear that the places was packed with locals but also a few tourists like us. There was free food on offer for everyone and a few of the folk who ran the place told us that we had to just help ourselves.



If it was possible, the music just seemed to get better and better. Kermit Ruffins was playing tonight - well known in the music community. I had never heard of him before but my friend said we were in for a treat. How right he was. They started playing Christmas jazz music and 'Silent Night' in jazz on the trumpet was one of the best things I heard that week. I still get shivers thinking about it. The guy on the piano was out of this world too - all night he improvised. Did not use one sheet of music and had solos that would last for 5 minutes. We left here on an even bigger high. Music was definitely a drug we were enjoying tonight!

Next venue - Le Bon Temps Roul where we saw Soul Rebels. We had about an hour and a bit to wait until they came on stage but we were having so much fun, we just chatted and drank until they came.





THIS WAS THE BEST NIGHT OF THE TRIP. The band were absolutely fantastic. There were 9 of them on the small stage (trumpets, trombones, tuba, drums and saxophone) and the dance floor was packed. Sweet Dreams by Erasure played by big brass band was something I didn't realise I needed in my life until tonight! We had a great time. At the end they decided that they were gonna record something for some DVD they were putting out. They had to record the same song numerous times until they got it right. After a while, it got tedious and it was late so I hopped in an Uber back to the hotel.

The Uber trip was great. A local Louisiana woman picked me up - early 30s - one of the chattiest people I have ever come across. The conversation went like this:

"Hell, I dunno why I came this way because I forgot I saw all those police corrrrrrrrrrs on the way..... I seen all those police corrrrrrrs, something musta' happened up here but I was bringin' a lady.....not to change the story but I was bringin' a lady......when I say we was comin' up Claiborne there was all these police corrrrrrrs and they was about to RUN OVER US! Something has happened. SOMEBODY GOTTA GET MURDERED because for them to have all those corrrrrrrrrs...... I can't even go this way...... somebody had to get murdered or something. This here is the Project. They tore them down and started all again...... Oh look at that, it's blocked off. Someone must have got murdered. It's the hood here. I can say that cause I grew up on the hood..... Anyway, back to when I was in New York...."

She barely stopped for breath but was an absolute hoot! Oh, and someone did get shot and murdered about 20 mins before I jumped in the Uber so she was right!

Next morning - another early start. We went on a tour of the city which was cultural but also about the jazz scene too. The lady taking us around, Denise, was into Voodoo so she was explaining that to us during the tour in amongst the slave history of the city. We also took a tour of the graveyards and heard some of the history behind some of the tombs. She was a great lady. The tour was supposed to last 2 hours but once she started chatting to us and found out that two of the guy absolutely loved the music scene here, she threw timing out of the window! We ended up being with her for nearly three and a half hours! Starting off from the aptly named "Congo Square" we learnt about the history and Denise had a boom blaster hooked up to her phone so would play some jazz music as we walked around. It was nice hearing about the culture too - we learnt all about how to second line, we learnt about what a funeral is like there, about the food and lots more. First stop - Louis Armstrong.



Denise seemed to know absolutely everyone - as we were walking around, folk would just say hi to her and ask how she was.









After we said our goodbyes to Denise (and gave her a very handsome tip for being such a star!), we headed to Captain Sal's for some lunch. From the outside, it looks nothing special but inside, the food was amazing. I had chicken gumbo and it was out of this world (and, at the same time, SO reasonable!). Again, after lunch, we walked back downtown and saw some nice art work on the way. I also law geeked out at the Plessey v Ferguson Supreme Court case sign!









After walking off some of lunch, we popped by Caf du Monde for some beignets. Total tourist trap but my God, they were so good!



There was an open market close by so we had a look around that before we headed off to another music venue - Maison.



Stayed there for a while and then we headed to Snug Harbour where we had bought tickets for the Ellis Marsalis quintet.



Ellis Marsalis came in with his walking aid and made his way up to the piano. This 85 year old appeared frail but that did not show in his playing. He played an hour of music with no sheet music in front of him. The band were just brilliant. Yet another night of fantastic music!

We were a bit peckish so grabbed a slice of pizza.... Anyone....?



DAT DOG looking great from the outside!



This was the last night in New Orleans so I headed back to the hotel to pack up my stuff. I hope I managed to get across just how brilliant the music scene had been over the last few days....it was superb! I would thoroughly recommend the New Orleans music scene to anyone who is into jazz even a little bit!
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Old Jan 30, 2020, 10:45 am
  #18  
 
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Wow, looks like you have a fantastic time. If you aren't into music, is it still worthwhile visiting the city?
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Old Jan 31, 2020, 4:52 am
  #19  
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Originally Posted by nequine
Wow, looks like you have a fantastic time. If you aren't into music, is it still worthwhile visiting the city?
Yeah probably but a few days would be enough for you. It's a nice place to walk around. You could do it as part of a wider trip.
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Old Jan 31, 2020, 8:11 am
  #20  
 
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Looks like a great trip - thanks for sharing STU1985
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Old Feb 1, 2020, 2:06 am
  #21  
 
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Exactly what I did a couple of years back. New York, Philly, train to New Orleans, train to Chicago and home, most enjoyable
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Old Feb 1, 2020, 5:55 am
  #22  
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Originally Posted by Madone59
Looks like a great trip - thanks for sharing STU1985
Cheers Madone59! Was definitely a great trip!

Originally Posted by Gatwick Alan
Exactly what I did a couple of years back. New York, Philly, train to New Orleans, train to Chicago and home, most enjoyable
Ah I'd love to do something like that. The scenery on the train going through the states would be great to see!
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Old Feb 1, 2020, 6:52 am
  #23  
 
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Ah I'd love to do something like that. The scenery on the train going through the states would be great to see![/QUOTE]

If you do decide to, take the train from Chicago to San Francisco, the scenery is brilliant going through the Rockies.
Also the section of the Empire builder from Spokane to Portland is utterly spectacular.
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Old Feb 2, 2020, 6:10 am
  #24  
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Few others I found from the last evening....





Up in the morning and finished packing. I ho pped in an Uber and 20 mins later I was at MSY and checked in to DFW and then LAX. Unfortunately, there was no lounge at MSY so I had to slum it in the main terminal. The terminal was pretty quiet when I was there at the A gate side..... I had the whole bit to myself!

New MSY!

























Because I was slumming it, I found a bar and grabbed a beer before the flight boarded.





AA2802, MSY - DFW, N916AN, B737

Boarded and was offered the usual open bar pre-departure drinks..... well done AA! I went for a Mimosa. Captain announced a flight time of an hour 20 minutes up to Dallas.



The flight was fine. I changed to some Sam Adams after we took off and enjoyed the scenery on the way up north.















Great views as we flew over DFW and then turned to make our approach.











Landed a bit late in DFW so didn't have too much time connecting but just enough time for a beer and a snack in the Admirals lounge. Although I was told that even as an Emerald card holder, you aren't entitled to premium spirits or wine now.....?! Really?!

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Old Feb 2, 2020, 8:10 am
  #25  
 
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Nice photos of the airport/en route.
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Old Feb 9, 2020, 11:44 am
  #26  
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AA2640, DFW - LAX, N915NN, B737

Lucked out and got one of AA's old liveries on this girl. Couldn't get a shot of her at the gate so nabbed this one online.



Pre-departure BM before taking off.



AA everywhere!







Looking across to downtown Dallas.



No drinks before lunch was served. Choice of pasta or chicken so I mixed things up a bit and went with the chicken. A pretty decent dish to be honest.



Warm cookies served straight after lunch.



It was a good timed flight - the sun started to set as we made our way west which made for some nice views. Crew were really good at keeping the red wine topped up during the flight - sign of a great flight attendant!













We landed in LAX on time which was great because I only had just over 40 mins to make my connection. I was pretty sceptical that my case would make the flight but to my surprise, the app told me that it has been loaded onto the plane!

AA504, LAX - LAS, N199UW, A321

Time for a quick Sam Adams before landing in LAS and making my way to the DoubleTree.





I caught an Uber into the city and went to a casino where I managed to win - nice when luck is on your side.....! Ended up probably going to bed wayyyyyy too late considering I had a 6.20am flight the next morning.......!

Got the LAS the next morning around 5am. Grabbed some painkillers and a bottle of water and hid away in a corner until it was time to board....

AA2530, LAS - LAX, N989AU, A321

Slept most of this flight but did capture some of the nice views as we headed to Nevada.







5 hour connection in LAX so plenty of time for a visit to the QF lounge and a shower - oh and a close up on the walk to TBIT!

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Old Feb 10, 2020, 12:48 am
  #27  
 
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Wow at the cool retro colours!
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Old Feb 11, 2020, 11:54 am
  #28  
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AA274, LAX - JFK, N103NN, A321

Took my seat at the from of the Business cabin on the left. Pillow and cosy cover were waiting at the seat along with menus. Love these lie flat seats on the trasncon flights!







The usual pre-departure drinks of champagne, water and orange juice were offered to passengers. Top-ups were also offered as there was some delay in boarding for whatever reason.



See you next time, LA! Took off over the ocean on a beautifully sunny day for the 5 and a half hour jaunt across the US.









At cruising altitude (YAWN!) the captain came over the blower and the seatbelt sign went off. Crew sprung into action with warm nuts and drinks.



The disgusting beetroot and goat's cheese timbale was left well alone and instead, I enjoyed the delicious salad with leaves, strawberries, sunflower seeds and a balsamic vinaigrette.



The tamarind chicken was also really tasty - the coconut curry sauce was great for the dish.



Nice views on the way.....



It wouldn't be a transcon flight without an AA sundae! I could have had a few of these!



Unfortauntely, the flight attendant dropped a glass of red wine towards me as she was putting it down. Even more unfortunately, I was wearing a white shirt..... Straight to the bathroom to try and wash the stains out because I was needing it for the day after (all I had in my hand luggage was my BA F pyjama top for the flight back to London!). She was horrified that she had done it but I was fine with her. Mistakes happen. They gave me some warm towels and, to be fair, when I tucked the shirt in instead of leaving it hanging out, you couldn't see most of the stain. The flight attendant thanked me and said that not everyone would have taken it as well as me!

Spent the next few hours watching the in-flight entertainment and sipping on red wine. Before I knew it, we were approaching New York in the darkness. Not before a warm cookie though!







Welcome to New York!



I hopped on the Air Train across to the BA terminal. Security was pretty busy but it wasn't long before I was upstairs in the lounge where I had a couple of hours to chill.



Not much to speak of by way of food so I just headed down to the gate before boarding commenced.

BA182, JFK - LHR, G-VIIK, B777

These short overnight flights are never great but this one was one of the more forgettable of ones I have taken. The crew on this flight just didn't seem bothered at all. Whether they were at the end of a few flights over the last few days or didn't get much sleep the night before, I don't know. They just looked like they couldn't be arsed. Tray of champagne or water was taken around and all I got from the guy was "Drink?" with a look on his face.









Breakfast tickets were at the seats too.





I hadn't eaten in the lounge so was going to take a snack before going to bed. However, 40 mins after take off, the crew still hadn't even started the drinks service. Yeah, this crew was very sub par. I thought to myself "sack this" and set up the bed and went to sleep until the captain made his announcement in the morning.







BA1314, LHR - ABZ, G-EUPY, A319

After a few hours in the FLounge in Terminal 5 and some much needed food, it was time for the short hop back to Aberdeen. Enjoyed a nice salad and a few red wines before getting back to Aberdeen in the early evening.



That was the end to a great trip to New Orleans. Wouldn't hesitate to return there. I really enjoyed the music scene there. The food was brilliant, as were the beers (the Hurricanes!) and the company.

Thanks for reading along...... until next time!
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Old Feb 11, 2020, 1:48 pm
  #29  
 
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Thank you for sharing the TR. Love the pics in New Orleans.
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Old Feb 12, 2020, 5:06 am
  #30  
 
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Thanks for sharing your TR. New Orleans does look a nice place to visit!
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