New Orleans so far...! (Belén)

Well, it’s been three weeks since I got here and I’ve had some really good experiences. Since my arrival in New Orleans on Saturday, June 9^th, I realized this city was completely  different from any place I’ve been before, and it was not only because of what I had read or researched about it before coming, but it was just something in the air, maybe something magical and a bit strange.  After leaving my bags at the residence, I met Cleber and Andrés and we went to Bourbon Street, we had some nice Gumbo, Jambalaya and Rice and Beans, and then we went to the French Market and to the Creole Tomato Festival, it was really interesting, and people all over were very nice and polite, it seemed as if they already knew us, and smiled and say “hi”! It was good for a change! On Sunday I went downtown on my own, and spent a lot of time walking all around. When I got tired, I went to the shores of the Mississippi River and sat on a bench, just watching the people pass. 

Of course, Monday arrived, and classes began, it was then when I realized that I was not really going to have a lot of free time during the week, so I had to make the best out of my weekends. And so, the second weekend came and I enjoyed it a lot, Jazz at a hotel, the Zoo, it was great!! And just like this, another week had gone by.

Next Saturday the Catfish Festival; at first it wasn’t what I was expecting – a big festival, full of places to eat and shop and local bands playing – it was nice though, I got four books for one dollar and that was crazy!! We had a great time there, and the best thing was that we got home early and we were able to take the shuttle to Lakeside Mall and so, in the afternoon we went shopping!! We spent 5 hours at the mall, it was great!! On Sunday we went back to the French Quarter and the Mississippi!! Some more shopping at the French Market, and back for the Long Walk Home – nice movie, by the way!

Last week was really wonderful; I dare say it was the best! On Tueday Dookey Chase and the Museum, and then, my weekend began on Thursday this time, I went to the Aquarium and it was a unique experience, I’ve never been to one before, it was great!!

 But the best thing was Hamlet at Tulane, it was so incredibly amazing, I just loved it, the way the actors were able to capture the essence of Shakespeare’s play was simply astonishing!! On Saturday we went to the Honey Island Swamp Tour, and it was also amazing, it was the first time I’ve ever seen alligators in the wild, and I can really say it was breath-taking to watch those animals so close, I have no words to describe the feeling. Later on, in the afternoon we went to Tanger Outlets, and I found some really good and cheap things, so I had to buy them all!!

 After a crazy Saturday came a touching Sunday, Yolanda and I went to Saint Augustine Catholic Church. I was looking for a church where Gospel was sung, because one of my best friends wanted me to record it for her. However, when we got there, I was so overwhelmed by the service that I just didn’t record anything, besides I realized that it would have been disrespectful to do so. It was really touching to see and listen to people singing from their hearts, and truly believing in something greater than themselves. I’m not a religious person; I’ve never been, however, while I was there I felt how people connected to each other, and let the best of them out, I cannot really explain my feelings at that exact moment, but it was simply great. After church, we went to the French Market once more, then, we walked along the shores of the Mississippi, and finally we ended up at Harrah’s Casino!!  We didn’t spend but two dollars. We just walked around talking about how interesting it was to see people wasting a whole lot of money there, and how addictive it can get. After that, we had a nice hamburger and we came back home.

 Looking back, I can say that it’s been a great trip, I’ve really had an amazing time here, and I still have one more week to go, and one more cultural aspect to see… 4^th of July in New Orleans!!