Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine, I look right into the heart of good old New Orleans. – Louis Armstrong
This is my 8th time at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and MAO’s 10th. It is our first time staying for both four-day weekends.
When we checked into the Loews 12 days ago, it felt like a very long time to be in the same hotel room. Today, I can’t believe how quickly it’s gone by.
It has been an amazing time in New Orleans – a perfect vacation getaway, made even more celebratory by MAO’s recent lab results. Our days have been filled with music, delicious food, visits to the gym and swimming pool and walks through the Warehouse District, taking in the art galleries.
Every day at the Jazz Fest, I felt like I was in the happiest place on the planet – so many smiles, so much music filling the air and our souls. There was no stage or tent that disappointed. Beyond Jazz Fest, we heard music on Frenchmen Street and went to a few shows around the city, including River Eckert at the Rock ‘N’ Bowl and The Nth Power at Republic NOLA. I am so grateful for all the local music we experienced. What an amazing city this is.
The restaurants were truly fantastic – the Creole and Cajun dishes were delicious. From Michelin-recognized and James Beard Award-winning chefs to the food at Jazz Fest, we enjoyed so much of the local cuisine. After years of trying unsuccessfully, finally getting a reservation at Dooky Chase was a special treat. Ending Jazz fest with a brunch at Commander’s Palace felt like the perfect finale.
For anyone who wants a little taste of the trip, I put together a YouTube Music Playlist with some of the artists and songs that filled our days, along with a Google Photos album of favorite moments from Jazz Fest and around New Orleans.
Tomorrow, we return home to Naples with our souls filled with the music of this city and our bellies filled with its delicious food.
Grateful today for
a wonderful vacation with MAO in New Orleans,
all the music, food and culture we experienced,
and for this incredible, vibrant and resilient city.
