Fun day today. Some of our friends (also alumni) came in early, and we meandered back and forth along various streets in the French Quarter, making photographs here and there.
We started by having breakfast at one of our favorite spots. Joey and friends remembered us from last year and welcomed us back. It felt good.
There is music 24 hours a day in NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) if you know where to find it. During normal hours, however it is everywhere. We stopped in to hear this man sing and play in a courtyard, protected from the morning chill by a tent.
There were five of us, one a newbie to NOLA, or at least, she hadn’t been here in more years than she could remember.
We all took our time, finding images here and there, working them to our satisfaction, Arnie and I sometimes offering suggestions.
In one quiet courtyard, I remembered this scene, and wanted to give it a quiet, serene feel.
One cannot walk the streets of New Orleans and not stop to listen to the music. We saw Doreen Ketchens and some of her family. We made a point of seeing her several times last year when we were here. That woman can make her clarinet sing like few others. And she sings with the same gusto and soul. Fabulous! The light, however, just wasn’t right, even though we all tried some shots and thanked Doreen, not only for her music, but for allowing us to photograph her.
In NOLA, it is traditional to put something in the tip jar as thanks to the musicians, mimes, and various other street acts.
There was Bluegrass, Soul, Jazz, so many types of music. A block can take forever to walk with all the stops we make.
When the light gets harsh, I often take to the archways, using the graphics of the shadows for my photographs. There was
a couple at the end who blended in with the columns, so I walked down and asked if they could take a half a step back to provide some separation, thus creating a silhouette for me at the end.
There was a stop for something to stave off hunger until dinner later, complete with some nice wine that we shared.
And we moved on, a destination in mind. There is a famous music venue in a different part of town, just outside the French Quarter, but not by much. They open at 4:00 o’clock, and the music starts sometime after that. The only requirement is that everyone is expected to buy one drink per set. That, and we all add money to the musicians’ tip can and often buy one of their CDs.
As always, the music is great. The first was a jazzy blues group who invited a banjo player to join them for a bit. The piano player doubled as a second guitarist and, we understand, travels the world dancing. What talented people! guitar and played with the second group, as well.
The second set had their CD release party, playing what they call Mississippi Gipsy. WOW, is all we could say. The women guitarist from the first band restrung her guitar and them played with the second group.
As good as the first band was, this one took it several steps up. The band leader’s fingers flew over the strings with such energy.
We were musicked out for the nonce, and it was half-past wine o’clock and dinner time. We expected a wait, but waiting was not going to do us any good at the restaurant we love in this area.
“We would have made reservations if we had known,” we said disappointedly.
“Yes, we just started taking reservations less than a month ago,” she explained.
So, Arnie and I each made a reservation for half our group, since they didn’t do large reservations. We’ll be back tomorrow.
Meanwhile, after trying a plethora of eating possibilities, all full, we returned to last night’s venue. Still delicious, still wonderful service with a sense of humor.
We all felt well exercised. According to Siri’s Heart Healthy app, of whatever it is called, we did some 17,584 steps amounting to 7.72 miles. Suffice it to say, we were all ready to collapse into bed!
Next: Day 01 of the actual workshop
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