Fish Out of Water: From the Island to NOLA Jazz Fest

When I first started planning my trip to New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, I was excited for the music but not entirely sold on the fact that the festival itself was in a city area. Most of what I knew about New Orleans were from stories I've heard about Madigras... the drunks, the bums, the filth, the crowds. None the less, other than driving through Louisiana interstates I had never been and "The Big Easy" seemed to me something I should experience just once.

I left Saint Croix one week ago today, flew into my hometown of Tampa Florida and from there drove to New Orleans with my mom, her two close friends and one of their daughters. All women I have known for most of my life. I could not have asked for an easier group to travel with. It took us 12 hours each way, including many stops for bathroom and snacks, just an easy going ride.

Our first night in town we were all starving and ready to hit the city. We decided on a finer dining restaurant called Cochon for our first meal, I can truthfully say it was one of the best meals I have ever had. We sat outside on the sidewalk so we could watch the hustle and bustle, as well as take in the cooler evening air. The drinks were immaculate and our server was very informative as well as friendly.

The Jazz Fest itself had something to offer everyone and not just in the music department. The food and art found at this festival were equally as amazing as the performances going on around it. Family friendly and a crazy party all bundled into one. I have been to many music festivals in the past but this one stood out to me with a uniqueness and personality all of its own.

I had the opportunity to watch performances by Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffet and everything in-between. To my own surprise one of the tents I enjoyed most was actually the Gospel tent. It’s not the type of music you would ever catch me jamming to as I drive down the road but is truly something to behold live. The energy and soul behind those people performing this particular genre of music is more than enough to set my skin alive with goose bumps.

Then there was the food... This was no typical festival food, it was pure New Orleans style cooking. Everything from po boys to stuffed bread. Honestly, I started to fall in love with New Orleans strictly because of the food. I did not have one meal that I didn’t spend time thinking about days later. An explosion of flavor and so much spice! (I’m a sucker for spicy food).

Outside of the festival another restaurant worth mentioning and definitely worth visiting was Brennan’s. We dined here for Bananas Fosters the first night because believe it or not, I had never tried it and they are famous for theirs.

Then because we had such a great experience that evening we made a reservation for brunch that Sunday and we were not disappointed in the least. It was another wonderful experience with more flavor explosions that I can’t describe. These people know what they are doing though.

What spoke to me most over my weekend in New Orleans though was the actual city. It’s people and the activities that go on after the festival. Bourbon Street was a must do for obvious reasons but I was much more captivated by Frenchmen Street. Here you find, in my own personal opinion, more authenticity. Small hole in the wall bars with local bands playing their hearts out. All walks of life... street performances, art, vagrants, locals, tourists... Its the culture of New Orleans that left a lasting impression on me. This town truly has soul but it’s not something I could ever describe with words, it’s a feeling.

Leaving New Orleans I feel recharged in a similar but completely different way than I do after being in the water. It charges another aspect of my soul that I sometimes forget is even there until I attend another music festival or explore a new area discovering a new culture. Doing things I’ve never done before makes me feel alive in the most genuine form. I would definitely visit New Orleans again, somewhere between the food and the music the city gained a part of my heart.