Part 3

Sunday the 12th: It%26#39;s Easter Sunday, and being the good guilt-ridden catholic that I am, I went to 9am mass at the cathedral. What a beautiful church. I had gone in earlier in the week-end to take pixs. I must admit, I was dissapointed. Nothing spectacular, just you%26#39;re regular run of the mill church service. I was expecting more for some reason, especially with it being Easter.

After mass it was off to the Court of 2 Sisters for brunch. Now, I know a lot of you out there don%26#39;t care for it and yes, the food was fine but nothing spectacular (but rarely are buffet%26#39;s amazing), but you just can%26#39;t beat the ambiance. I had requested a table out in the courtyard when I made my reservation, and I was seated at a table next to the wishing well. It was a cloudy but warm enough morning with the birds singing, almost everybody dressed in their Sunday best, a few ladies even had grand hats on. The jazz band playing in the corner, not too loudly so as to not interfere with conversation, was just perfect. I took my time eating, and stayed a little over an hour. Had great service from a very nice young lady named Tess (her I remember her name).

Afterwardsd, walked down Royal for a bit to digest my meal, then made my way back to the hotel to change in something comfy and get ready for the 1st of 2 Easter parades that I was planning on seeing. The 1st was the Chris Owens one. Was great fun, though the parades were a bit smaller than I expected, but still gives you an idea what Mardi Gras must be like. And I learnt that you%26#39;ve really gotta watch out for those beads. They whip those things at you like they were baseballs!! :)

Later on in the afternoon was the Guay pride Easter parade. Now that one was really fun!Very flamboyant, very generous with their beads (I got most of my beads from that parade). I actually caught it twice. I was up on Bourbon to watch it, then realized it was coming down Royal so I stayed to see it again. I%26#39;m glad I did cause I was able to get better pictures the 2nd time around.

For supper, I went to Cafe Pontalba in Jackson Square. Was in the mood for something ';regular'; so had the chicken with garlic mashed potatoes. Was a good enough meal, pretty tasty if that%26#39;s what you%26#39;re in the mood for. I had gotten a coupon from the internet for a free desert, so choose the white chocolate bread pudding. It was served warm with whip on top. Mmmmm. I wasn%26#39;t able to finish it all (though I tried very hard) as I was just too stuffed.

Preservation Hall was on the agenda for that night. I got there around 7:40, already a long line-up, well pass Pat O%26#39;s. So needless to say, I didn%26#39;t get a place to sit. I was stuffed in the back, in the heat and humidity (was pretty humid by Sunday night)with still aching feet. I lasted 2 songs, then I went to sit in the entry way and listened to the music from there. Not the same. So I decided to stay for the 2nd set (someone had mentionned in an earlier post about having to leave after a set, but they didn%26#39;t say anthing like that this time. Might depend on how many people are waiting). I still only manage to get a seat on cushions on the floor in front of the band, but beats standing.

The St Peters All Star band was playing. Was a great evening with great old time jazz. And was kinda sharp being right up close and personnal too. They said at the beggining that you can%26#39;t take pixs with a flash. Do you think I could figure out how to turn off my flash on my new digital camera??? Noooooo. So I wasn%26#39;t able to get a pix of the band. I did get some of the room b4 the show though.

Going home from Preservation Hall, I had some hunger pans so decided to finally go have my 1st taste of beignets. As it was past 10pm, I didn%26#39;t have a coffee. The beignets were good, lots of powdered sugar as everybody says, but the sugar was sticking pretty well to the beignets, might have been the humidity?? But I did manage to get some on my black(of course) shirt.

After that, off to bed. Another great, great day!!!! Aching feet and all.

Part 3

I am really enjoying your reports. Keep %26#39;em coming. How long did the set at Preservation Hall last. I%26#39;m not sure I could stand too long either and walking all day. I%26#39;m sure my feet and legs would protest immensely!

Part 3

The sets last about 45 mins. They take a 15 minute, well deserved break in between each.

Oh! I had the same table at the wishing well last sunday. funny. I was not in New Orleans for Easter this year (spent it in houston) but I have been there before for both Parades. I loved the gay one. I stood next to a real HUNK and had trouble keeping up with all he couldn%26#39;t catch. And the Hats all those guys wore were amazing. I agree they really throw allot of beads.. plus I got allot of plastic eggs filled with all kinds of stuff. WAY FUN! Your trip sounds great. It pays to be organized/informed when you travel.

Yup, you have to get there at least 30 minutes before hand on a regular weekday and then 45 minutes or so ahead of time on the weekends to get a seat. I usually will stand by the first door and watch from there, if I get there late. But, it%26#39;s a pretty small and intimate venue :)

I do like cafe pontalba as they have good bread and just decent food but the real plus is having a couple drinks with the po-boy or such and just people watch. At Preservation Hall I kind of hang way back and lean on the back wall or side wall and never last the full set-getting old I guess.

I can%26#39;t believe I have never been to Preservation Hall..I%26#39;ve always been discouraged from the long line-up. I will be in New Orleans a day longer than the usual (I usually can only go for 3 nights, but this time it%26#39;ll be 4..yayyyyy!!!!) so I will definitely get in this time around. Good thing you chose to go for 12 days, Porelly, there%26#39;s so much to do and see, not to mention being able to just relax and soak it all in...I soooo wish I could go for longer, but having young kids kinda holds me back....but I do so enjoy the time there, even if it is too short :)

i can%26#39;t believe you had your FIRST beignet on DAY THREE! I usually shove a few down (and powder all around) immead. upon arriving!

keep em%26#39; coming Porelly!