New Orleans

   I just got back from a sister trip to New Orleans.  We rode the Amtrak down.  I got on in Fulton Ky, Louise in Memphis and Jane in Jackson.  It was a great trip down.  It was also the day after the election and I wasn't in the minority as an Obama supporter on the train.  Both my sisters are Republicans but I tried not to rub it in too much.  We sat in the observation car and watched Mississippi roll by, talking the whole time.  It was something we had talked about doing for a while.  It felt great to make it a reality.  We arrived in New Orleans about 3pm and walked about a mile to our hotel.  We went down Bourbon street and found some good food.  The next day Louise and I took a city tour which was interesting.  Henry was our tour guide and he showed us the rebuilding in the Ninth ward and told us tidbits about the history of the city.  We ate muffaleto's at Central Grocery and Beneignts at Du Mondes.  I found a cool sweater in the French Market.  We sat outside of St Louis Cathedral and listened to the street musicians play jazz. We enjoyed the State museum.   The next day we went out to the Garden district and shopped some on Magazine street.  We got to celebrate Louise's 60th birthday with her on Sat.  It was a really good trip including the train to get there.  I'm just so glad we were able to do it.  Chicago is on our itinerary for our next trip.