A Weekend In New Orleans

Where do I even begin with updates? As you know, I spent the weekend in New Orleans with Royce to attend the wedding of one of his colleagues. Visiting New Orleans and the weekend’s experiences were interesting, to say the least. It was my first time in New Orleans and honestly, I was not overly impressed. While I did see and experience some very cool things, I found the city to be dirty and scuzzy and will be in no hurry to return.

My favorite parts of the weekend were enjoying fresh hot beignets and chickory coffee at Café Du Monde, and eating at a tiny café called Café Amelie, which had fantastic Creole food, refreshing cocktails, and a romantic outdoor courtyard setting. I was not impressed by the French Quarter, which was where we spent most of our time. It was nice to see, but it’s just not my scene. I would have liked to have explored other areas, like the garden district and its historic homes and Victorian mansions. And Tulane University. But there's only so much time in a weekend.

The wedding was beautiful. It was a traditional New Orleans wedding at an amazingly impressive downtown Catholic Church, and the reception was at our hotel from 3-7pm. Apparently it is custom in New Orleans to have the reception immediately following the wedding ceremony, and there is no formal sit-down meal, but instead dancing and appetizers for the duration. The 12-piece band was phenomenal. I had a lot of fun dancing. At the end of the reception, everyone participated in a “second line” march, which was sort of like a parade for the bride and groom in which everyone marched around waving handkerchiefs and umbrellas before the bride and groom headed off for a carriage ride around the city.

The weekend did end on a sad note, however. I ended things with Royce on Saturday night after realizing that we are just not a good fit. I’d like to save the details between the two of us, and just say that he is a great guy, and I know he will make someone very happy. I just don’t think that person is me. I hope we will be great friends because we do share many similar interests and I do think he is a lot of fun. It’s just sad to get online today and see that he had already updated his Facebook profile to “single” from being “in a relationship." The end happens so quickly and suddenly. But I think it’s best for both of us.