Flashback to December 2003

Happy Fat Tuesday!  No, we did not do anything special today to celebrate.  In fact, we haven't joined any Mardi Gras festivities for the last several years.  One day, though, I'd love to learn how to make a King cake; I'm sure the kids would enjoy that.

When I think of Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras, I can't help but think of New Orleans, one of Kurt's and my favorite American cities.  We had the pleasure of visiting there in December of 2003, pre-Katrina, pre-kids, when we were in our let's travel and explore while we can before we start our family mode.

New Orleans is an amazing city.  There's a European-feel to it that makes you feel like you're on international vacation.  The architecture is incredible. We found the people there to be so warm and friendly (yes, I know we were mainly in the touristy areas, but there was a definite difference in vibe between there and what we are used to on the East coast.)  The food scene is out of this world.

We explored the city by foot, mule-drawn carriage, and street car.  We ate our way through the city.  We listened to live music, reveling into the wee morning hours. We had a blast.

Beignets and cafe au lait.

Muffaletta lunch overlooking the Mississippi River.
Ooh, I love that river!

Kurt loved all the food...especially the raw oysters.

Breakfast at Brennan's.  

In January 2004, the month following the trip, I got pregnant and our lives drastically and irrevocably changed (for the better, naturally.)  That was the last of the carefree travel days; we haven't travelled much since, but one day we hope to take our kids to visit New Orleans amongst other places.  One day down the road, we will even get to travel again, just the two of us.  But for today...we'll always have New Orleans.