Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Ninth Ward

Jackson Square is also known as Place d'Armes. There is a statue of Andrew Jackson sitting on his horse that was cast from melted British cannons captured during the war of 1812. During the Civil War the women of NO living around Jackson Square would empty their chamber pots on the Union soldiers' heads as they passed by. Union officers threatened to melt Jackson down made cannon out of him if the practice didn't stop.
We opted on a tour today. Initially, we booked with a city tour that we mistakenly thought was just for the Metairie Cemetery. Turns out it was a 3 hour walking tour of the French Quarter and a nearby cemetery. So, back to the hotel and the concierge to find what we needed. We found ourselves in a van with 2 people from Oklahoma and a 72 year old guide. He was a talker! Full of facts and figures. Nevertheless, we got a great look at the 9th ward and an understanding of how the flooding from Katrina happened. We saw the houses Brad Pitt has built and the Habitat for Humanity houses for the musicians. Next, he took us to the Garden District and pointed out the homes of John Goodman and Sandra Bullock and the Mannings of football fame. Lastly, we did go to Metairie. It is a fascinating mix of sculpture and architecture.
Dinner tonight was at Galatoire's. Until 1999, the restaurant did not accept reservations, leaving patrons to stand in long lines on the Bourbon Street sidewalk. With the addition of the second floor dining rooms and bar, standing on Bourbon Street is only needed for first floor dining room seats, which are still always first-come-first-served. It was the first and only restaurant where we've been asked if we had a preferred waiter. Tennessee Williams at here often at a table near the window and mentioned Galatoire's in A Streetcar Named Desire. For more pictures visit my flicker