A Few Days in New Orleans
approx. 5 min. read
Traveling out of my tri-state area feels like jumping into a different dimension. Things are familiar yet very different. I understand the language, but it takes longer to process the accents. I recognize the foods, yet the flavors and textures vary. I interact with people as I would back home, but the energy I receive is different. After spending a long weekend in New Orleans, I was reminded of the importance of traveling beyond the northeast to experience another way of life.
I’m always sure to plan excursions that expand my knowledge of the place I’m visiting. While on my trip, I was reminded of many aspects of NOLA history like the Louisiana Purchase. Most of what I heard while on this trip was information that was completely new to me. I enjoyed learning about the origins and traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians, the history of Jackson Square, and the architecture of the homes in the Garden District.
I’m especially grateful for my interactions with the locals, which truly improved my knowledge of their culture and mannerisms. The accents of our tour guides, rideshare drivers, and customer service workers were all so different though they had that distinct NOLA flair. At times I wished for the locals to continue talking, even when there was nothing much to say. Everyone was polite, calm, and soft-spoken; sometimes I felt too loud, which was weird as I’m often soft-spoken myself.
It was clear that tourists were welcomed in NOLA; we were never met with disrespect or trouble from anyone, in fact, the locals wanted to learn about us too. Even those who were seemingly unhoused were polite when asking for food and money and never pressured me, raised their voice, or spurred insults as I experienced in the Northeast.
On the last day of our trip, while sunbathing on a bench in Jackson Square, I found myself listening to the conversation of a group of 5 to 7 men in front of us. Some sat, others paced around their bench, and one was setting up a microphone and speaker. There was a tuba, trumpet, and trombone resting on the bench as they prepared. Some were performing and others were providing moral support and as this happened, I listened to them loudly gossiping while exchanging laughter. There was a moment when they huddled together to watch a video of a fight on a phone when another member of the group quickly ran in exclaiming “Wait, what happened?!”. Throughout that hour of watching and listening, I felt a great sense of brotherhood and was also allowed to be included simply by being in proximity.
Alternatively, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing the same thing in a city like Philadelphia or New York, in a tourist area or otherwise. Sure, people gather, eat, smoke, and talk all the time, but to be an outsider eavesdropping and watching, especially for an hour, would most likely cause tension or confrontation. The one thing I know brings Philadelphians together is football season to celebrate the Eagles. Otherwise, it’s part of the culture up here to mind your business or get called out for doing otherwise.
Though my eyes did lock with the men a few times, I didn’t feel any awkwardness or discomfort. It was a beautiful day and everyone was enjoying it. Eventually, the trumpet player came over and held out his fist to introduce himself and ask where we were from. When he found out we were from Jersey, he said his son was up in New Brunswick. It was nice to have this brief connection and reminded me of the previous night when our waitress from Philly said she enjoys the southern hospitality NOLA offers.
I’m aware I made many generalizations; every place has its beauty and its flaws. Like in any city, I’m sure there’s division, crime, and other undesirable circumstances that occur, but New Orleans has a warmth and togetherness that I wasn’t accustomed to feeling. When we told our rideshare driver that everyone has manners, she replied with “Well I got beat if I didn’t”. And though that may be true, I think the warmth of locals comes from the pride of their traditions and culture. Our driver later rolled down her window to compliment the women of Krewe des Fleur, who were dressed in flower costumes. In another ride, our driver asked “Did you catch the second line today?” She showed us pictures of the second line parade along with selfies of a Mardi Gras Indian Queen dressed in her elaborate suit and massive feather headdress. I realized whether you catch coconuts being thrown by Zulu Krewe during a parade or take a picture with a Mardi Gras Indian Chief, it’s something to celebrate and brag about. Culture brings everyone together and the locals are used to sharing traditions for generations.
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