New Orleans memories

The Cathedral/Basilica of St. Louis in Jackson Square is the oldest Catholic Cathedral in continual use in the United States, having been established as a parish in 1720.

I am getting very excited for my upcoming trip to New Orleans with Modenus'  BlogTourNOLA to visit KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) and to take in the local flavor. 

I was last in New Orleans in 1996 on a business trip when I worked for WGBH in Boston. We didn't have much time to sight see or take photos, but I got a little in around  the general area of the famous Jackson Square, which is anchored by the St. Louis Cathedral on one side and lots of shops and restaurants.

I don't recall at all what time of day I took this photo of the Cathedral - no one was walking around? I didn't get to go into the church on that trip and I'm not sure if I will this time either. My travel timing doesn't work out for me to attend Mass there, though I would like to.

 Jackson Square, New Orleans, a wood engraving drawn by W. P. Snyder and published in Harper's Weekly, January 1885.

New Orleans, 1842. View of Chartres Street at Jackson Square, looking down river, with St. Louis Cathedral at left. Lithograph based on daguerreotype, by Jules Lion. Tiles “La Cathedrale” or "View of Chartres Street".

 Jackson Square, New Orleans, ca. 1900. Courtesy of the Library of Congress

I believe this is the corner of Chartres St. and St. Anne - which is just past the Cathedral to the left. You can see it in the older images above. I recall just loving this mime - and of course being a little weirded out by him.

How beautiful is the pink stucco building with green shutters and the wonderful wrought iron railings? My favorite aspect of Nola architecture are all the amazing railings!

Travel wear and big hair,  circa 1996. I recall loving those pants - they were super wide leg and very comfy in the warm weather.

No idea where this image was taken - but more wrought iron!

And this was my work colleague Ildi and I, enjoying a chicory coffee and beignets at the famous Cafe du Monde - which must be on the schedule next week, it just must!! Then I recall we went shopping in the French Market and wandered around till we found a local lunch joint for some yummy po' boys. We also went to a jazz club to hear Ellis Marsalis for a set or two,  Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for dinner and wandered down Bourbon Street enjoying a Hurricane (just one!) and the sights. We also went out to either Brennan's or The Court of Two Sisters for a fabulous dinner, as guests of our colleagues from PBS. I cannot remember which restaurant it was, but am pretty sure it was one of these two iconic New Orleans establishments.I know we also took a street car through the Garden District - but I apparently didn't take photos. Hopefully I will be able to rectify that this time!

Speaking of beignets - if you're planning on attending either KBIS or Visions, please join us at Beignets & Bubbly meetup at KBIS Design Studios on Friday April 19th at 10:30CST. All the #BlogTourNola participants will be there, along with designers Susan Serra, Meredith Heron, Andie Day, Corey Klassen, Tyler Wisler, Cheryl Clendenon, Carmen Christensen and Lori Gilder who are featured designers for KBIS Design Studios powered by QueX. Thanks to sponsors Mr. Steam  and Blanco. Click here to register to attend - I hope to see you there! If you won't be in town, you can follow the tweets at hashtag #bandb

And finally, join me MONDAY, April 8,  between 4-5 where the blog tour sponsors and participants will be chatting on Twitter about the upcoming trip. Just follow Twitter hashtag #BlogTourNola

Have you been to New Orleans - would love your recommendations for great places to visit! BTW, for additional Nola goodness, designer and blogger Courtney Price has been sharing some great photos (she grew up there) and tips on the best design shops. Check out her posts here.

If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please email me. Thanks! Subscribe to ::Surroundings::