Today was a really fantastic day. While Ava and Kelsey attended another day at MYLE, the Grace-St James crew had an easy day of sightseeing and shopping. Emma and Lexi wanted to explore the shops in the French Quarter and were thrilled by some great discoveries. Lexi tells us about finding a little candy store in a shotgun style home. They stepped in and discovered an award-winning shop full of a variety of pralines and other handmade confections; they were happy they stumbled upon it.
Meanwhile the rest of the crew decided to explore the Garden District of New Orleans. Taking a trolley there gave us a chance to see so many beautiful houses and buildings. Walking through the area also gave us firsthand views and chances to take lots of pictures. Looking for a place to cool off and get lunch, we found a creperie that had amazing crepes filled with fruits, gelato and chocolate, all rolled into a cone-shaped bundle. We also had some fun checking out some vintage clothing shops and a few tourist stores as well.
Throughout the day we encountered many other NYG travelers, so took a chance to hand out some mementos (that we call “swaps”) and discover where people call home. We met people from Texas, Minnesota, Chicago, and even our own back yard: Havertown and Schnecksville!
Our friends from St Luke’s Gilbertsville arrived late in the afternoon and we were really happy to catch up with them. We had made plans to take a steamboat ride in the evening and needed to decide on dinner first. It’s challenging agreeing on a food style or restaurant for 15 people, so we decided to make our way down to the steamboat area along the river and just decide then. A local shop owner advised us to head across the street to a local seafood place. The hostess standing outside warned that they already had reservations for 2 large groups about to arrive, so she wasn’t sure she could seat us. They were able to make room for our group — and then managed to deliver the meals quickly and they were soooo good. Many of us tried creole food for the first time and we loved it. The best part, we still made it to the steamboat on time.
The steamboat ride on the Mississippi River was a highlight for all of us. There was just enough of a breeze from the movement of the boat along the river, that we felt cooler than we were on land. The tour guide gave us a lesson on the history of river boating and trade in New Orleans. There was a live jazz band playing the entire time and the sunset was beautiful.
There were very few lows to our day and we were all especially grateful to the kindness and generosity of the people who live and work in New Orleans and the beauty that surrounds us. Peace – until tomorrow!
~ Lexi, Bella and Janet
