Dancing to the Sounds of New Orleans: December 17th

We took a Music Tour guided by Milton, who has been part of the New Orleans music scene since he was a kid in the 1950's.  I don't think we could have had a more knowledgeable, passionate, and entertaining guide. Thank you Milton!

Music is one of the most prevalent voices when New Orleans speaks to you.  Music is central to the city's culture, and New Orleans' music is central to most modern music in our country.  Jazz, Blues, Swing, and Rock 'n' Roll all find their roots in New Orleans.

Tasting New Orleans Culture: December 16th

The blending of different cultures to create New Orleans' culture is tastefully represented in its cuisine.  Spanish, French, African, Italian, Caribbean, and German cultures and cuisines can all be found blended into Creole food.  As Naif, our cuisine tour guide said, "Gumbo is a bowl full of culture."  

Our first taste of New Orleans cuisine at Antoine's: real gumbo with okra.

Naif, our tour guide, telling us about the history of gumbo and the difference between Cajun and Creole food.

Bree bravely tried raw oysters for the first time.

Gelato was a class favorite.  Most people do not know there is a Sicilian influence on New Orleans' culture.

History & the Supernatural: December 15th

On our first night in New Orleans, Denise took us on a guided Ghost Tour of the French Quarter.  History and the supernatural mingled on the streets of the French Quarter provided an appropriate and fascinating introduction to New Orleans.  

In Pirate's Alley at the beginning of our Ghost Tour

Our first trip to the French Quarter: December 15th

On the streetcar to the French Quarter

First steps on the streets of the French Quarter

Happy Holidays from HUM302!

Ollie Riding the Rails

Stephanie Moens ~ Preparation

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
     I am four days away from taking a trip. I laugh at the idea that I would already be packing. Let me give you a picture of how trip preparation goes for me. I took a trip to Branson in late August with a friend. I was to be at my friend's house the next day at 8:30 a.m. to start our journey. It was 9 p.m. the night before when I arrived home from work. I packed for the entire trip the morning of departure.
      Whole trips have been made spur of the moment in my life. A couple years ago, within a two week time frame, I went from thinking I was not traveling anywhere to choosing a destination with a friend, renting a condo for a week, and making all other arrangements for a trip of that caliber.
     Because I do not feel like doing any running around during the weekend, I did get groceries yesterday and got some food to pack along. Train food does not impress me. I also made sure someone would be feeding and watering my cat. I am trying to think of anything else I have done but am drawing a blank.
      I had originally planned to read all kinds of books on New Orleans and to look up all kinds of neat things about the city. However, work got crazy and the semester sped up as we approached finals and final papers. Sudden family obligations took up many hours of multiple days. I have decided that the time on the train will be a "crash course of New Orleans" for me.
       That is not to say that I haven't done my homework for the required class travel guide blog. To tell you the truth, I probably spent much longer than I should have doing that assignment. I should have stuck to my assigned subjects and stayed focused, but the rich history of the place and the different stories that have come from it sucked me in. I found myself reading about this madwoman Lalaurie, and I don't think I used any of that information on my required topic.
     My Spanish teacher from high school told us that the two things you need for travel is calmness (eventually you will get to where you want to go) and patience. I will be calmly packing for the trip...in a few days.

Nicole Bailey ~ Course Expectations

Nicole's NOLA blog: Expectations: I am most excited for this course out of all the courses I have taken. Mostly because I get to travel and see an amazi...