On Friday Abby and I woke up early so we could make the trip down to NOLA. One of the awesome things about staying in Mississippi for a few more days is that Abby volunteered to drive me, and even luckier, she decided to stay and hang out with me for a day!
So we packed up the car and set off! But we were both really tired and the weather was cold and gloomy in Mississippi, so we struggled to keep it together. We did listen to some of the essays from a David Sedaris audio book which was entertaining. And kept us awake! But once we crossed the border into Louisiana the sun came out, we turned on some of our jams, and took in the beautiful scenery.
After a little speeding incident we were finally in New Orleans! First we went to my hostel so I could check in, but after that we drove to our hotel in the French Quarter! Abby's parents generously offered to pay for us to stay one night in a hotel together and we enthusiastically accepted, of course. So while I checked into my hostel I explained that I wouldn't actually be sleeping there until Saturday. That was easier than trying to change my reservation for a second time! So we get to the hotel, Hotel Monteleone, and it's super swanky. Abby had stayed there before with her parents, and she's been to New Orleans a bunch, so it was so nice to have her with me. And we just brought our antics to a new city!
So we check in, get to our room, and immediately head up to the rooftop pool. Whaaaaat?!?! The weather was incredible and the roof is beautiful, and we take in the awesome views for a bit. Then we head back to the room and hang out for a while, acting like total freaks as we listen to music and sing at the top of our lungs.
After spending what felt like hours recreating Rent: The Musical as a two woman show, we wandered out into the real world and took in the sights. We walked along the river and stopped in a bunch of souvenir shops, being dorks as usual. Then, as it started to get dark, we headed over to Bourbon Street and I started to get Abby drunk with my ID. That's what friends are for? So as she sipped on daiquiris we wandered the streets, taking in all the amazing opportunities for people watching and stopping to pet every police horse we encountered.
Eventually we headed back to the hotel and got dressed in our cute clothes. The plan? Dinner then jazz! We walked to Dreamy Weenies, a cute establishment that serves, you guessed it, hot dogs! We obviously loved the restaurant's name. But I'm eight years old on the inside. What drew me to Weenie's were their TWO vegan hot dog options. They sure know how to make a vegan feel spoiled! I opted for a tofu-based dog with ketchup, vegan chili, and avocado drizzled on top. YUM. SO GOOD. The dogs were huge by the way. We were kind of intimidated.
After scarfing down our dinners we walked back towards Bourbon Street, where we slipped into a bar to listen to some jazz. We sat up at the bar for two hours and I wasn't bored for one second. For me, being the only sober person in a bar, that's an amazing thing. I guess the same can be applied to NOLA in general. Even though I have no alcohol in my system and everyone around me does, I've still been having such a great time.
So the band was amazing and the bartender was a huge flirt/slightly jerky so that was fun. By the time we left, Abby had the drummer's phone number, the result of a hilarious stunt, and I was sufficiently embarrassed but loving it.
We wandered down Bourbon Street with the drunk masses, laughing, stepping in horse shit, and avoiding creepers. I got Abby another daiquiri and then we headed back to the hotel, where we promptly put on our pajamas and curled up in bed. For the next couple of hours we watched "House Hunters: International" on HGTV. Obviously. Then Abby got hungry and ventured out to find food as I texted her very important information about the episode I was watching. She came back with Krystal (YUCK) but I was just happy she was alive.
I was an amazing first day in New Orleans. I'm so glad that Abby came down here with me.
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