Farewell New Orleans

Inner and Outer Journey

For this post I will be sharing my favorite place in New Orleans. This was easy for me to decide. This place is public. You do not have to pay to go. It is full of diversity, and lots of color. This place many people call home. This place has both art and music. Any guesses? 

 The Streets of New Orleans

I fell in love with walking the streets of New Orleans. As a social work student I went to New Orleans in search of something. I didn't know what it was, or where I would find it. It was a feeling, I was searching for. I found that feeling walking home one night after having a great night out with friends, or at the time strangers. The streets were full of people, animals, trash, art, music, street performers, you name it; you found it on the streets. You are probably wondering why the streets of New Orleans is my favorite. It is simple really, everyone was welcomed. We watched these street performers one afternoon and they ended their show with a quote "remember there is only race, the human one". This spoke to me, and has been in my mind ever sense. While in New Orleans you never felt judged or out of place. Being different was the trend. Not one person looked the same. Not one building was identical (close, but not). 

The streets of New Orleans told a story. A sometimes hard, work in progress, came a long way story. The sidewalks were unlevel, the roads were narrow, but it also was the place a community came together during tragedy. It is the place where people are giving (most times) to those less fortunate. It was the place I found myself more times than not thinking about how beautiful this city truly is. Not just the scenery or temperature, but the people in it as well. It felt like home. 

I loved walking around a night and seeing all of the lights. Listening to all of the music and sounds going on around me. I saw things that made my heart happy on the streets of New Orleans, and sometimes the opposite. The streets of New Orleans allowed me to use all 5 senses. I could see everything I needed just by walking. I heard some of the greatest music, from some of the realist musicians. I tasted some of the greatest food I have ever had (highly recommend the Beignets). I smelled some of the strangest, and at times not so pleasant scents. Lastly I touched someone's heart. Whether we realize it or not, when touring and talking to strangers maybe about what they do or where their favorite spot in the city is, we are connecting with that person. We may do this by giving money to a homeless handicap women, or a mentally Ill man. It could even be acknowledging the talent of a street performer. All of this happens on the streets.

I will miss walking the streets of New Orleans, and more specifically the around the Jackson Square. The weather was beautiful, the people were pleasant, and the history was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I would most defiantly encourage others to visit and even more so walk the city. It is for sure the best way to see the city and become familiar with what it has to offer. I had the most amazing time on this trip. Coming for school was just a bonus. I think this trip was both educational and exciting. There is honestly so much to do in New Orleans you need like two weeks at minimum to get in everything. We covered a lot of information, and tours in a short amount of time but I wouldn't change a thing. New Orleans Trip 19' was a success!