I’ve wanted to go to New Orleans for 30 years, ever since my husband went there on business and I had to stay home with the kids. When Beth decided to add it to the repertoire of tours for 2014, I knew my chance had finally arrived. Never having traveled in the South before, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I did have certain expectations of what I would find. Did the Culinary tour and the city itself meet my expectations? That’s a resounding YES!
This was, after all, a culinary tour and I went with the expectation that the food would be wonderful. Which it was!
I am not an olive fan (in fact, I’ve been known to swallow them whole, rather than chew them), but I have to say that I ate a muffuletta and loved it! The barbequed shrimp were out of this world – every time I tried them – as were the gumbo and jambalaya. I learned about the ‘Holy Trinity’ (that’s onions, bell pepper and celery), the basis of N’Awlins cooking, and came home with a new cookbook to add to my already burgeoning collection.
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I didn’t try the gator bites…but I did try the turtle soup!
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I went expecting ornate balconies with cascading greenery, gingerbread houses, music and antebellum mansions. Found ’em all!
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The women in our tour group were from all walks of life and covered a wide age spectrum…but we all got along amazingly well. The days passed far too quickly and I think I’m going to have to go back to NOLA.
My one big surprise—and I don’t know why I was surprised—is the juxtaposition of the French Quarter against the built-up modernity of the downtown core. I think I was expecting the whole city to be old. I obviously read far too much historical fiction!
Interested in coming with us to the Crescent City? Call us at (206-317-1860) or contact us via email.
Embrace life,
Pat
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