The Nero Chronicles: Baaaack from the Big Easy

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Baaaack from the Big Easy

Fair Nerophytes, in the words of some great thinker or other, "I'm baaaaack!" But what a romp, what a magical, mystical melee rubbing elbows in the alleys of the French Quarter, skipping between raindrops, getting boozy on bread pudding and powdered sugar. Yes, it was a candy-dandy cobblestone conquest with all of the rich sides and deep-friend trimmings one would expect from that mythical orb of teeming humanity -- that beating heart of the deep South -- the Crescent City. Below, Nero's laid out a mere smattering of the spoils. For those who'd like a little more visual, simply hop on over to Facebook and get friendly.

An interplanetary welcome at the W French Quarter*

Nero goes weak in the knees for a comely courtyard

Tempted to shout "Stellaaa!" was I, as the patio oozed lounging and longing

Even the elevators spoke a curlicued Patois

NOLA, watering hole to the world

Le Vieux Carré, where hotfooting it is a way of life

The Red and the Black run thick as blood through the Quarter

Our dark digs at the Monteleone's Carousel Bar

(Footnote to self, kidnap that sconce)

Where else can one sip a Shirley Temple and still feel the world turn?

A summa' time shower spit-shines Jackson Square

Defeated we retract and fold, abandon the umbrella

A pilgrimage to Faulkner House is always in the books

Giddy Nero mixes metaphors -- there's no such thing as color-clashing here

The city has a groove all its own, all you have to do is find your beat

Yes, this place fits Nero like a, well, you see the sign

And though there was no real reason to go anywhere, we paddled along

Took to the tracks

Scouted a suitable crib

Snorted soft sugar

Fondled heavy metal

Contemplated water wars

(Oh how Nero wished to lock 'n load this pair)

And tried not to dwell too heavily on our own mortality

'Round every corner Nero's heart went pitter-patter

Pitter-Patter-Colored-Shutter

But mostly we played it Slim Shady

Only things swiftly got less slim

More shady

We percolated

Caffeinated

Syncopated

We sparked by night

Took time

To dine

Got wise -- eyes wide open -- to the ways of the world

There was a healthy dose of Heaven

But better yet, a red hot heaping of Hell

And underbelly dwellers came out to cast dark spells

Desire ran rampant under the banana fronds

And Nero can now announce to all who on my shoulder tap,

that I've Beignet...Done That!

*A quick footnote for those who may be tempted to hit up the W French Quarter, the hotel's dining facilities are undergoing an extensive renovation set to be finished in May. Until then, guests must breakfast, lunch and sup elsewhere or alternately order takeout in the room. We were unaware of this detail until we arrived, but as the Quarter is chock full of interesting eateries, the inconvenience ended up working to our advantage.

Labels: All images by blogger

12 comments:

Raina Cox said...: Ahhhh...

Of course, you know my affinity for NOLa.; April 7, 2012 at 1:55 PM
candicecowin said...: FUN!!!!!!!!!; April 7, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Kecia said...: One of the few cities in the US I haven't visited and badly want to! Looks grand!

xx
Kecia

http://www.couturezooblog.com/; April 7, 2012 at 4:14 PM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Hi there Raina,

Oh I know how you and the Big Easy roll -- tight-tight.
It was certainly fine family fun.
Cheers, Alcira; April 7, 2012 at 5:50 PM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Howdy Candita,

Memories!!!

Alcira; April 7, 2012 at 5:51 PM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Greetings Kecia,

I highly recommend you get yourself there sooner rather than later ;)

Cheers, Alcira; April 7, 2012 at 5:51 PM
vicki archer said...: One day I will get there... xv; April 8, 2012 at 12:24 AM
Lila Moonlight said...: What a great holiday. I want to get there too :) i like your son's outfits too :)) happy easter :); April 8, 2012 at 3:47 AM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Dearest Vicki,

I think you and the Crescent City would get on pretty swimmingly -- it's your kind of town.

Cheers and best, Alcira; April 8, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Ciao Lila,

It was a wonderful holiday -- laid back, restful and absolutely full of memories.
You must visit someday.
Happy Easter to you as well, Alcira; April 8, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Bri@Meyouandawiener said...: I lived in Louisiana for a few years when I was younger, sadly I don't have many memories of New Orleans.

I'm guessing your little boy likes to dance, at least it seemed that way in the pictures. Lol; April 9, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Moomser said...: Tarek is adorable! Although don't tell him that, tell him I said he was uber-cool! Next time I'm stateside must take husband and kids to New Orleans!!; April 12, 2012 at 3:36 AM