By Weber Hsu
Renowned for its unique cross-cultural and multilingual heritage, the city of New Orleans is a paradise that people the world over wouldn’t want to miss out on. Dubbed “The Big Easy” and “The City that Care Forgot,” among other popular monikers, the city offers a lighthearted and carefree atmosphere that pleasure seekers are looking for. From exotic French Creole cuisine to elegant jazz music, from fascinating swamp tours to extravagant festivities, New Orleans is as captivating and intriguing as can be, with boatloads of fun and adventure that will surely blow your mind away. A resident of NOLA (acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana) for six years, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the charms that this vibrant city provides. Here are some of my favorites from one of America’s most interesting cities: Food To say that I’m a resident of New Orleans and not mention its world famous gastronomic culture would be an act of sheer blasphemy. Words can’t describe how much you will enjoy New Orleans’ exquisitely-made French Creole and Cajun delicacies. A staple breakfast would be a plate of New Orleans-style French toast. Crisply toasted and drizzled with Louisiana cane syrup, the toast is served with poached eggs, oysters, and fresh pieces of ham and bacon. The classic Jambalaya (known in Spain as paella) is also a must-have. Well-seasoned with parsley, bay leaf, bell pepper, and other spices, jambalaya is a rice dish mixed with sausages, chicken, green onions, and celery. Another signature dish is gumbo. A spicy stew consisting of broth, rice, and spices, gumbo is typically flavored with various kinds of seafood, particularly shrimp and crawfish. Other delicacies to consider are red beans and rice, shepherd’s pie, shrimp and beef po’ boy sandwich, fried catfish, and Popeye’s chicken. A blend of French, Spanish, Portuguese, and African cooking, these exceptional dishes will have one’s taste buds screaming for more! Architecture and Streetcars Attesting to its rich historical and cultural heritage, the city still contains various kinds of 18th-century French Creole mansions and country houses, many of which are situated Uptown on famous St. Charles Avenue. Built in many different styles (Greek, Queen Anne, Antebellum), with either great marble pillars or thin wooden columns and wide porticos, this architecture brings forth a sense of intimacy that bonds people closer with the city. The famed streetcars on St. Charles Avenue are equally beautiful and historic. Inexpensive and convenient, the streetcars are also great public transportation. Each ride is itself a new and refreshing experience. Moving gently along St. Charles Avenue with soft breezes, visitors will marvel at the buildings, oak trees, and other greenery along the way. Swamp Tours Care for a date with alligators? For those that are adventurous, a trip to the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve would be the perfect way to spice things up. On the outskirts of New Orleans, the park is well known for its bayous, marshes, and exotic wildlife. Journey through Louisiana’s swamplands by boat and see alligators up close, either basking on the riverbank or lurking stealthily beneath the water’s surface near a Cyprus tree. Beware! The French Quarter and Downtown Perhaps the most appealing venue for tourists seeking excitement and entertainment is the French Quarter. Considered a National Historic Landmark, the French Quarter is essentially the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It contains numerous historic Spanish buildings, many of which are illustrious for their wrought iron balconies. Vintage mule-drawn carriages progress to and fro along the streets, furthering an even more refined reminiscence of the historical past. Bourbon Street, the most famous street in the French Quarter, is frequented by revelers and party-goers dressed to the nines. With hotels, restaurants, drinking establishments, and clubs, the aura of fun here never ceases. Located near Bourbon Street is Preservation Hall, known as the birthplace of jazz music. Usually played with trumpets, trombones, string basses, and clarinets, New Orleans jazz gives out a slow rhythmic flow that is soothing for the ears. Like its famed gastronomic culture, New Orleans jazz symbolizes the city’s historical and cultural identity. Positioned at the center of the French Quarter is a historic park called Jackson Square. Renamed for general Andrew Jackson after the Battle for New Orleans in 1815, Jackson Square is now vibrant with street performers, musicians, painters, and hawkers of all kinds. While here, one can stop by the Café du Monde and have a cup of café au lait (French chicory coffee) with French-style beignets (doughnut with powdered sugar) for dessert. Right next to Jackson Square is the beautifully built, white-colored St. Louis Cathedral. Facing the Mississippi River at the heart of New Orleans, the cathedral beams brightly in the sun for all to see. Speaking of the river, for a perfect view of the city skyline why not hop aboard a great paddlewheel steamboat for a river cruise down the crescent-shaped Mississippi? A view of the sunset will literally take one’s breath away. Other downtown options include Harrah’s Casino and the family-friendly Aquarium of the Americas. Last but not least…Mardi Gras! The most famous event of all in New Orleans has to be the annual Carnival season known in French as the Mardi Gras. Known as “the biggest free party on earth,” Mardi Gras is a time for fervent, sometimes chaotic, celebrations and merrymaking. People get giddy from alcohol and party throughout the nights. During this special occasion, participants, both young and old, don masks and costumes in traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple (which stands for justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Parades are the biggest attraction for fun seekers. Floats put on by krewes (private organizations) travel slowly through the streets, starting from Uptown New Orleans and moving towards downtown. Throngs of people dance crazily in the streets to music blaring from truck radios. Feeding off the festive mood from the enthusiastic crowd, krewe float riders toss “throws” to the merrymakers; these gifts can be colorful plastic beads, doubloons (coins with a krewe logo), cups, toys, or other souvenirs. In addition, people may also attend masquerade balls or King Cake parties. Eaten especially during the Carnival season, the cake is laced with cinnamon on the outside and stuffed with cream cheese of fruit-filling on the inside. The crust is topped with sugar icing in purple, green, and gold. The atmosphere and spirit of Mardi Gras is like no other, as people from all corners of the world and all walks of life are bonded together in fun and laughter. Having partaken in these events myself I would like to share with you the uniqueness of it all; New Orleans is a home away from home, a magical place of vivacity and infinite possibilities! a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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