Jackson Square

Anyone who knows me or has read my older posts is familiar with my deep connection with New Orleans. Most of my visits to New Orleans have been solo, but it has been about 4 years since my last such trip and I’m feeling the need for the boost to my spirit that only New Orleans can provide.

This year New Orleans is hosting the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 3rd, and celebrating Mardi Gras on Tuesday, February 12. That’s going to be quite the party.

To give the Super-Bowl goers and Mardi-Gras revelers sufficient time to vacate (or at least hibernate), I’m not heading to NO until February 18. This is one of my favorite times to visit the city: the time between Mardi Gras and Easter, that is, Lent for you Catholics. The city tends to be quieter with cooler weather to match the city’s mood. It’s as if everyone is still hung-over from Fat Tuesday. Whatever the reason, I’ll take it.

My last visit in 2010 was with three New Orleans’ virgins. I enjoyed seeing the city through their fresh eyes, but it was August and hot and humid with intermittent thunderstorms. There’s a reason why the summer is the low season for NO. But even in the midst of that the city still succeeded in enchanting us all. That’s its magic, which I fear might be lost on those who only visit during festivals  or other events where the focus is on celebrating something other than the city itself.

If real life is lived in the quiet moments – and I believe it is – then that applies to travel as well. Most tourists stick to a predictable and well-defined area. Most will not go to Tremé, or Mid-City or even the Marigny. Since most won’t, you must. Take a couple of hours and just go sit somewhere, anywhere, away from the distracting buzz of the crowd so you can listen for the city to whisper the truth of what it’s really all about. It will if your patient enough to give it the chance.