New Orleans - Jambalaya, Jazz and an Airboat Ride!

We drove into New Orleans along a highway raised up out of the swamp. It was exciting to be travelling over the murky waste at such a high speed. It was easy to see how the area can be subjected to devastating flooding.

My knowledge of the city was limited to films and news clippings which gave a certain aspect of what to expect. On arrival we were unprepared for the immense ambiance and vibe the city was emanating.

The first night I was introduced the local delicacy, Jambalaya. The taste explosion was a rare treat. A mixture of sorts that somehow fitted together. Perhaps the southern version of the Spanish Paella? It was something that instantly made it to my top 10 dishes.

The streets are lined with musicians. Particularly good ones. All playing their own unique style of a southern favourite - Jazz. The jam sessions became less structured as the night wore on as random locals joined in the performance.

Towards the end of our stay the girl arranged us a local tour in an airboat. I was in high spirits to be traversing the swampy canals that once set the scene to the bond movie, Live and Let Die. Unfortunately there was no sign of Solitaire - my second favourite bond girl. But the speed of the craft complimented the relaxing spectacle that nature provided.

Elvis has left the building

A trip to Memphis would not be complete without visiting the home of the King. A little outside of the city you will find an attraction to rival Disneyland that honours one of the founders of rock and roll, his former residence, Graceland.

The memorabilia here is astounding. From his private jet (the Lisa Marie), the numerous jumpsuits (worn throughout his comeback tour), and the 3 television sets in his basement (it is said he heard that President Johnson watched 3 at once to keep up with the news) there is not a place that will not gather interest.

After the tour the tacky amusement park feeling has vanished and you get the eerie sensation of knowing the man a little more intimately than you would have expected.

Memphis - The home of rock and roll

Our third stop on the road trip was Memphis, Tennessee. All I can say is wow! What a city. The searing 40 degree heat energizes the various establishments into a diversified eclectic mayhem, thrusting you into a laid back vibe that is eclipsed only by the pulse of the city itself. Each of the bars feed off this energy to sustain the vibe so an empty bar always feels like a friendly packed house - not that you will find any of the places empty.

We stayed at a lowly rated hotel off Beale St but to us it was a welcoming homestead. The food here has a Southern feel although with it's own individual tweaks. I recommend trying out the ribs although the girl will tell you she had the best fried chicken she has ever tasted. Every bar is lined with memorabilia from the most famous rock star to some lowly sportsmen.

The Martin Luther memorial was a window into a sad, but vital piece of US history. I would like to put it into the conspiracy theory vault, however I believe the assassination did more for his desperate cause then any amount of preaching would have brought.

We left this city with our eyes, ears and minds opened to the cultural understanding one town can offer.

Random Road signs

The "Main Street of America"...



Next to the City of Oz... (next to the "Emerald City" for those non-movie trivia buffs)



I leave the gun in the truck then shall I...



I was thinking of hitting that guy, lucky I saw the sign...

St. Louis - not a hell of a lot to see

In St. Louis there's a giant, impressive arch that towers over the city. The delicacy here is fried Ravioli.

Once you've seen the monument and sampled the food be sure to move on to the next city.

Might I suggest Tulsa, Oklahoma?

Fondue-liscious

While in Chicago we decided to try a restaurant that had all the benefits of cooking your own food. Apparently fondue was all the rage in the 70's and I can see why. I preferred the dessert spread where we dipped the strawberries in steaming hot chocolate but that doesn't take away anything from the rest of it.

The funniest thing was the couple behind us who had just gotten married - celebrating on their own in a comfy booth.

Respect to the GOAT

You may remember from a previous Blog we were rather into basketball as kids so on our trip to Chicago it was essential I went and paid my respect to the greatest of all time. He certainly was not my favourite player (I never like to root for the best) but he certainly has a highlight reel second to none.

I got a guy...

Ever since the proposal I have been asked about deciding on the purchase. It was one of those things I had wanted to do on my own, so with much trepidation, a set of guidelines and wad of cash I headed into New York's famed "Diamond District" (note: by "wad of cash" I mean a card but for the stories sake I had to throw it in).

Making my way along the various shops it was apparent that these guys had a silver tongue and really wanted me to part with my money. After much wandering and deliberation I found a small stall in one of the arcades with a young Jewish lad who was there with his heavily pregnant wife. It didn't really seem that his collection of engagement rings was all that large but never the less we struck up a conversation anyway. After letting him know I really had no idea about the purchase except a vague idea of what the girl had wanted he began his tutorial about the differences.

Fairly soon I was a master with diamond qualities and had a better idea of what I was purchasing. He showed me a number of rings and I selected the one I thought would most suit the girl. After this we tried 3 or 4 different rocks to see how they looked in the setting. It wasn't long before we had put together the perfect ring which in itself began the game of cat and mouse.

I knew the man was buying both the ring and diamond at a wholesale price much less than any other store could get - this is how the diamond district works. They can all buy in bulk to get an amazing selection for you. A few times he went to his "storeroom" to find another diamond but I was fairly sure he was grabbing this off a fellow dealer.

He gave me a great price and reduced it further when I pushed him on it. Soon after I told him that this was definitely the ring I wanted but would like to think about it over a bite to eat. His faced dropped slightly and told me he didn't want to lose my custom. He even said if we complete the deal he will buy me lunch. He asked me what price I wanted to pay. I looked him in the eye and asked him for his absolute best price that he would go no lower on. If liked what I heard we had a deal - if not I was walking.

To my surprise he came back with a very reasonable price that was way lower than what I expected. We shook hands and the deal was done. Even with the tax added I was completely happy with the way the haggle had turned out.

So from now on if anyone asks me about diamonds I respond with: I got a guy - go see my Jew!

A short trip up the Empire State

On a random Thursday night, I dragged the girl up to the top of the Empire State Building under the guise of watching a magnificent sunset and to spot our apartment. We did a lap through the crowd that was gathering before I steered her to the quietest location I could find.

I dropped on one knee, asked the question and she really had no choice but to accept.

We now can look out at the building from our apartment to reminds us both of the happiness this moment brought us.

It's safe to say we are both over joyed - but not as happy as Tamara (the hippo) was!