Pappuji and the Disrespectful Journey to the Taj Mahal: Episode 2

Episode 2 begins:

Pappuji approaches the group and he and other the men have themselves a little chat. They both motion for us to pile into Pappuji's little car. We're hesitant. We don't trust anyone at this point. But we make the decision that, should the need arise and they were in fact plotting on us, we wouldn't mind attacking Pappuji and end up on the New Delhi nightly news. 

Pappuji and the Disrespectful Journey to the Taj Mahal: Episode 1

It all begin when 4 friends had the crazy idea to add a day trip to the Taj Mahal during their emirati vacation. 

I was convinced that we had packed all that we needed to see of Dubai into our itinerary so we had time to spare. Frankly, after all the research I had done, I thought I would get bored there (I was right, I wasn't as taken with the city as I heard I might be).  

The Top 7 Things I Learned About Traveling to India

I'm not going to mislead you. Traveling to India was a challenge. Traveling to any new place can be a challenge I think....but there are certain factors that can make one destination worse than the others. 

I found the trip from Dubai to India to be more than challenging. I'll give you a list of reasons why here in a bit. 

But in general, when the airport is chaotic, crowded and difficult to navigate, that can make things challenging. When the check-in agent doesn't know what yo do with your US passport because you're the only Americans on the flight and likely the only Americans that he's encountered in the past 3 months, that makes this challenging...and unnerving. 

Sushi 101 Houston

You guys know I'm always looking for something fun (and cheap) to do. 

I love to cook and try new cuisines....so I saw a Groupon for a Sushi 101 class and purchased it without hesitation. For $45 I would learn the sushi basics and have some fun.

Stony Mountain Vineyard and Charlotte, NC because, wine and fall.

A few weekends ago I used my standby privileges to visit Charlotte, North Carolina. 

I never thought of Charlotte as a place to visit, it's more of a stop over city to me but (shrugs) I've been wrong before. Thanks to a close friend and her network of friends, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world. And that's what happens when you travel, folks. 

Do Something Different! Weekend Nature Hike in Brazos Bend State Park

The forecast for the weekend boasted temperatures in the lo 70s high 80s. To a Houstonian like me, who is constantly seeking shelter from the oppressive summer sun, that's like leaving a fat kid in a bakery overnight. Fall was upon us. Every park and all the patios in the city would be teeming with people, eager to enjoy one of the few days when Houston experiences perfect weather. 

How I Traveled to 5 Different Countries Using Only 7 Vacation Days

You read that right - 5 countries.

I posted this on Facebook yesterday and the comments it received gave birth to this blog post. Everyone wanted to know, HOW?!?!

So I'm going to share.....How I traveled to 5 countries in 2015 and only used 7 of my vacation days.

How Not to Miss your Interational Flight

On Wednesday, September 2, 2015, I set out to travel to New York City to begin my journey to the UAE for Labor Day weekend. 

In December 2014, my friends and I were the recipients of a blessing, by way of the Etihad Airlines glitch fare, made widely known and now infamous by sites like TravelNoire. 

For $300 or so, we would fly JFK to AUH....that's an incredible deal. Being the genius that I am, I schemed the rest of my travel plans, and in an effort to save money, decided to fly standby to LGA and take the short 20 mins taxi ride to JFK. I did something similar for China....and I was shackled on the way back home so I knew, I KNEW, there would be some obstacles, but nothing insurmountable....so I thought. 

If You Want Delays, Fly Fiji Airways

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan look. 

I will NEVER fly Fiji Airways again. EVER.

If it wasn't for the incredibly nice people, I think I might have been on the news. 

I know for sure that by the end of a week full of delayed flights, my friend Chidi (who is usually very calm and quiet) was all the way turnt up. And I don't mean that in a good way.

When You Only Have 24 hours in Auckland, NZ...Here's What I Did!

As a result of one of the longest delays ever (about 6 hours), stuck in a really small airport that one had 2 small restaurant (one of which was actually just a coffee shop)...my time in Auckland was cut from 2 days, down to one. Not cool, Fiji Airways...not cool. 

This is another example of the dark side of traveling. You will be delayed. Either b/c of a late flight, a late driver, traffic...whatever. Just be prepared. 

Impromptu Kava Cermonies for the Win

So...the night of the South Sea Island Fiasco, we were tired....so so tired. We had dinner at the hotel....which was not the best but it was beautiful and there was a band playing music and my toes were in the sand while I ate so I was content.

I was content but I felt like I was lacking the full Fiji experience. You see, I wanted to immerse myself in the culture during my brief two days on the island (but not that much b/c I'm still pretty bougie and need things like a/c and running water, etc). So, we stayed in a beach front bure - the traditional style homes on Fiji. But...I also wanted to try kava before I left. 

Slightly off topic rant: So, even though you know there are some places that you know you'll eventually come back to, like you have no choice b/c that place left some lasting impression on you, you want to get the full experience while you're there, in the present. Well, I do anyway. Thus, this is my creed, I try not to travel to a place I've already been until I've been to a few new places, if that makes sense. There are soooooo many destinations that it's nearly impossible to get to them all. But I have nothing but time and opportunity so I'm going to try. I'll get back around to Fiji -and other places- and spend a full week there at some point. Until then, I'm trying to set foot in as many different places as I possibly can - end slightly off topic rant.

Anyway, Kava is the national drink of Fiji. But, you can't just grab a cold bottle of kava from the corner store, as we would soon find out. Drinking kava comes along with a grand ceremony that includes the preparation of the drink, stories, community involvement, etc. Kava is an indigenous plant that is known for it's relaxation effect, among other things. The root is pounded into a fine powder and then mixed with fresh water. The end result resembles muddy water and tastes slightly bitter....and just to be honest....it didn't taste good at all....it pretty much tasted just like it looked. Murky, muddy, bitter water.

 

    

 

 

The kava powder and water is mixed in a huge wooden bowl (tanoa) and the mixture yields way more liquid than I expected but then again, they started out with a lot of water. (I just wanted to taste it! Sheesh). Also, I was no longer in for just a taste of kava. We were going to have to participate in the whole ceremony....So we watched as the cute guy from the hotel prepare the mixture. He pretty much kneaded this cloth bag, used to keep the grit out of the drink, over and over again, straining it, ringing it out, dunking it back in the water.....imagine what it looks like to was clothes on a washboard....it was just like that. As this cute hotel guy is mixing the kava, other hotel guests start to notice what's going on and randomly pulling up chairs and joining the circle. In my head I was thinking, everybody got their cups but they aint chipped in! (that reference that's eternally stuck in my head thanks to one Snoop Lion aka Snoop Doggy Dog).

After he made the kava, which takes a pretty long time to strain all the "good" part of of the powder, he scoops the liquid into small bowls called bilo, made from half a coconut shell, and passed the drink to my friend Alan. 

 

 

But before he drank, we were given instructions. You must clap once when it's your turn to drink and throw it back like a shot. Then you clap again and say BULA! After, you return the bilo and everyone claps three more times. So...I'm not sure if we did it all in this order but it was something like this. I know there was clapping and yelling. (photo cred to Alan by the way. He took most of these pics).

So....drinking kava is like getting your mouth numbed at the dentist. Within minutes, you start to feel the numbing effects. We were told that kava can be made in different strengths and the locals like theirs potent. As you can see from our faces in the pics above....it was definitely not the tastiest thing and the locals were tickled by our reactions.

Some of the other guests joined us and told stories about how the people in Fiji and Tonga drink kava all the time because it can't be detected by a breathalyzer. So basically, this drink that supposedly gives you a pleasant, mind clearing effect....which sounds alot like being high to me.....is actually a problem. People get behind the wheel of a car and lose their faculties but no one can prove it...lol.

Anyway, this speaks to the hospitable and generous nature of the Fijian people. Normally, they perform the kava ceremony on Saturdays at the hotel. As you can tell, preparing the kava is no easy task. It's not like you can just warm it up in the microwave. It takes a person to know what they're doing, who is knowledgeable b/c there's a whole story that goes along with it. So they literally set this whole thing up just because I asked. The cutie preparing it was talented too....he could prepare kava, crack jokes and flirt with three American girls all at the same time. 

Anyway, there's more to come about Fiji.

~There's no where to go but everywhere!

Weekend Excursions near Lake Travis

3-day weekends are the best!

Who doesn't love knowing you only have to work a 4-day week which will be followed by 3 full days of not working?? I swear if I had Fridays off...whew! I'm not sure what I'd do with myself. 

But....since I have not yet received that blessing, I make the MOST of the few 3-day weekends, whenever they come around. At the beginning of each year, I make a mental note of each one. Then I decide if that one will be used for a quick getaway or incorporated into an international excursion (sidenote: your international trips should include a 3-day weekend...it's one less day you have to take off work!). 

Anyway, I had been wanting to rent a house near Lake Travis for some time now but I needed a group to go b/c I was talking about renting a ballerific house and I didn't want to spend all that money on my own....but I  also wanted a drama free weekend so selecting the right group of people was key.

So I polled a group and surprisingly everyone was interested (but honestly, why wouldn't they be?) I did the research and found a couple options. We decided on this house listed on HomeAway.com 

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3654834?utm_campaign=HAUS_TRV_INQ_HASC_replyBlank_PPS&utm_content=propid_text_o_lprop&utm_term=20150629&utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email

Be SURE you click the link and look at this gorgeous house, scroll through the pictures. If you ever considering doing something like what we did, RENT THIS HOUSE. You won't be sorry. The price is reasonable too. Here are some of the pics I took.

 

 

How amazing is this place?!

Alright so rewind to Friday morning, we set out on the 3 hour drive to Volente, TX which is about 22 miles outside Austin. Once we turned off the main highway, you drive down what seems like the windiest, never ending road...but with some great views...until we reached the most majestic little drive. I'm love driving down a road that's completely shaded by trees reaching out to each other from either side. It makes me feel like I'm entering into some special hiding place just for me. 

Interject: On the way to Volente, the Google Maps lady decided to take us on a detour onto Highway 237 through Round Top, Texas instead of going straight out 290. Round Top has a population of 90 (according to the signs)! I've never knowingly been to a town that was so small! It was the cutest, quaintest little place ever and although the other car group didn't seem as enthusiastic as I was about the detour, I enjoyed getting to see another part of Texas. It was 4th of July weekend so you could tell they were gearing up for the festivities. It was like something out of a movie. We rolled through Round Top in like 6 mins and then along the way there were a few parts that looked a little more hoodish but it was all so interesting. Seriously though, if it were up to me, a 3 hour road trip would take all day. I would want to stop at every store that sold pecans and rattlesnake and follow every sign down some random road to the telephone museum. 

Anyway, this detour, and the sights along the road that followed, were the perfect juxtaposition between two of my secret personalities, the country gal that loves trail rides and cowboys and the ratchet chick that loves trap music and a low cut Cesar with a deep wave (plus I think Fetty Wap was playing on the radio) - the two converged on Highway 237 in Somewhere, Texas and it was perfect - like it totally got me and I was like:

Anyway, back to this enchanting street into Volente, I had to take pics from the front seat of the car because I was the designated DJ and hype man, but this video really captures the beauty of it. I can find the beauty in anything really...but it wasn't hard, this was actually beautiful, I promise. 

We arrived, took the tour, settled in and went back out for groceries to stock the house with all the things we would need for the weekend. We each prepared a dish and then had a certified buffet of cuisines that ranged from Belizean to Creole, Cajun and American and stuffed we ourselves - which in turn ruined all chances we ever had of going out that night. We napped, woke up and ate and drank again....hung out on the patio, listened to some music and then, as it turned to night, were serenaded by the sounds of nature surrounding us, fought a battle with mosquitoes and lost, then continued a very similar pattern for the next few days.

We had all these delusions of grandeur like we were going to leave the house and explore the area (go zipling, go to the Oasis for dinner, etc)....but guess what? We. Did. Nothing. We did not leave the house all weekend except for a coffee run to Starbucks, and as much as I love to get out and do stuff...this reclusive weekend was just fine for me. 

I mean, why not? The house was amazing, we had food and drinks, music and movies, no drama.....and that was everything we needed. The entire weekend. 

It's good to take some time to unwind. You know I'm always on the go...as we speak I'm making plans to go paddle boarding this weekend (but it's like 12k degrees outside so I'm re-thinking that decision). But this 3 day weekend was reserved for rest and relaxation....I guess that's what normal people do on vacation anyway. 

Here are some pics....I hope you enjoy.

New Additions to the Family in Atlanta

Last weekend I hoped a flight to Atlanta meet my new baby cousin, Alexander. 

It was a family reunion of sorts. My great aunt whom i hadn't seen in nearly 20 years and my cousin, were visiting my other cousin, Alex's father, whom I hadn't seen in more than 5 years. (That sentence is confusing but the bottom line is...I hadn't seen my family in forever). 

I wanna take the time to say that I hate and love United airlines. Because my dear, sweet father has been working for them for as long as I can remember, I am able to fly with them for next to nothing but there's always a catch. The flight was late departing, we sat on the tarmac forever. When we arrived, they wouldn't let us off the plane for like 30 mins. On the way back, I missed one flight. Nowadays, there's rarely a time when I'm not sitting in the airport for hours waiting for a seat on someone's plane. This time was no different but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. 

I am sooooooooooo grateful for having this rare opportunity to see my family all in one place. It was nice hanging with them for the weekend even if it was in an un-air conditioned house. But of course, since I am not a proponent for sleeping in a tropical environment, my thoughtful cousin purchased and blew up the air mattress for me and I slept in the only cool room in the house with him. Bless his kind little heart.

Saturday morning I met Alex for the first time....he's absolutely adorable. I am completely and hopelessly in love with his sweet little face. He came to me like he knew I was his big cousin....the cutest and calmest baby ever. 

After some bonding time with the baby (I fed and burped him all by myself! go me!), and brunch prepared by aunt and cousin (I love my Cali family...the way they cook is so delightful), I decided to get dressed and my cousin and I got out of the house b/c we couldn't stand the heat. We drove over to visit my friend, chatted with her and her daughter a little while, and then set out in search of drinks in a well air conditioned establishment. 

Atlanta has changed alot since the last time I was there. Unfortunately, I wasn't blogging and taking as many pictures back then so I can't remember when that was exactly but it was definitely over new years and my friend and I partied like a couple of rockstars and then slept on the floor in our friend's apartment like two bums. Oh yeah...I also met a narcoleptic gentleman who fell asleep on the toilet while we were having a late night snack at Gladys Knight's restaurant. That's all I can remember. Prior to that trip, another friend and I visited Atlanta like 5 times in one year (2007)....we were the queens of Atlanta that year as far as we were concerned (as far as we're still concerned).

Since the Housewives and the Love & Hip Hop culture has infiltrated the city, there isn't much of a draw for me anymore. It's funny, I could sense the difference as soon as I arrived, actually, I could sense it on the plane ride over.

Anyway, the baby was scheduled to be picked up around 4:30pm so my cousin and I chilled, people-watched and had drinks until then. Our evening plan was to drive to Alpharetta to try this restaurant that my cousin had heard about in San Francisco called Blaxican. In the spirit of adventure, and since we had nothing else better to do, we all piled in my rental and drove the 53 mins, stopping at Dunkin Donuts on the way for a caffeine pick me up. 

So, Blaxican is a take out restaurant that started out as a food truck. in Atlanta As you can deduce from the name, the cuisine is an infusion of Soul Food with Mexican. Anyway, the place was supposed to close at 9pm that night so we thought we were good until we got there at 7:45 to find a sign on the door stating that they were closing at 8pm b/c of Father's Day. O_o

But it was 7:45 and we had driven all that way....so we politely urged the guy to go ahead and serve us and he begrudgingly obliged, dishing up whatever he had leftover to appease us. Then, since he felt as though the food was not up to par with his normal standards, but he had to serve us under the circumstances, he discounted the meal. We were grateful. We tried to leave a tip but he didn't have that option available so instead left the restaurant so he could finish closing up. I think that might have been the best tip he had gotten all day.

We sat in the car and ate....I had sausage tacos which was basically BBQ sausage links inside a flour tortilla with BBQ sauce on it. My cousin had pulled pork tacos with a pineapple topping, my other cousin had chicken tacos and my aunt had fish. We all had a side of jalapeno mac and cheese. 

I would love for this adventure to have a happy ending and tell you that the food was so awesome and so worth the hour drive. I'm sorry....but I can't do that. The food was just alright and it was kinda cold...but it was adventure and I'm always here for those. 

Later I found out that my family had driven an hour to try this place the previous weekend and got there after it was closed. So, in an effort to salvage the journey, they went into the Turkish hookah bar in the same strip center.  

So, after we ate, we decided that drinks would be good. So we went back to the bar for a few adult beverages with a side of belly dancing. But first, and since my aunt was running from my camera all weekend, I decided to steal a few car selfies. 

Must be hereditary b/c my cousin was running from the camera too.....no worries tho him and his muscles couldn't run far. 

These people are certainly related to me...lol. (Edges on fleek! haahahaha)

Inside the Turkish bar, where my fam had already made friends with the waitresses, we ordered drinks and hookah and pretty much just enjoyed each other and it was grand.....grand, I tell you. Apparently its been nearly 20 years since I've seen my aunt. yikes.

On the wall, on the way to the bathroom, there was a quote that read, "In the house of lovers the music never stops - the walls are made of songs and floor dances." ~ Rumi. dope quote huh? I liked it...that's all that matters.

We drove back home and packed ourselves in my cousin's bedroom, the only cool room in the house.  

The next morning, baby Alex came back over to visit. My cousin blew up the baby pool and filled it with water, rubber duckies and chucky cheese balls and we had baby's first dip in the pool....cutest. thing. ever. 

All this cuteness cannot be contained in this single photo. 

My weekend went by way too fast. Not enough time with the family, not enough time away from work...just not enough time in general. But I'm appreciative of whatever time I did have..... Plus, my family is small so I like to spend time with them when I can. You should all do the same.

Travel is NOT an Exclusive, Elitist Club.

Travel is not some exclusive, elitist club whose membership is based on how many stamps you've got in your passport and it shouldn't be made into such a thing. It's not about how many countries you've been to. It's not about how many monuments you've taken pictures with. It's not about how many followers you have on Instagram.

What it is, is a learning experience. A chance to gain some perspective. A blessing. 

But I don't need anyone's permission or approval to hop on a plane and I don't care what anyone else thinks.

Travel is not an arbiter of my blackness or of my socioeconomic status. Truth be told, I've traveled when I only had $37 in my account and my blackness isn't always the most evident so......there's that. 

As far as I'm concerned, if you want to pack up the minivan and road trip it down to Galveston, you have traveled. For some of us, going to work every day is a traveling experience. It is what you make it. But It's not about posting pictures on social media of the obscure place you went to that most people could never even conceive of and then making them feel bad about not being able to go. That's not what it should be about. 

For me, I travel because its in my blood and I just can't help it. I can feel it in my bones. When I reach a new destination, something comes over me....I can't explain it. Then I experience it and I want to Share. It. With. The. World. Because I just can't keep my mouth shut. 

Not in a "I'm better than you b/c I'm here and you're not" or a "look at alllllllllll the stamps/visas in my passport" kind of way. But in a "look at God's creation and how incredible and different things are and how we can be so ignorant because we don't know everything and I can't wait to share it with you and hopefully inspire you to follow in my footsteps or create your own journey and let me see it too" kind of way. Does that make sense?

Not everyone can do what I do...and not everyone does it for the same reason I do it. But I know that and I'm not walking around judging them for it. It's not the way I was raised and doesn't fit into my Christian training. 

What I can do is try to be as inclusive as possible. No that doesn't mean I'm traveling with any and everyone. The way my personality and attitude are set up - that just won't work. 

BUT, I promise to continue to share all my experiences with each and every person that takes the time to read my posts, as long as the great God in the heavens allows me to do so. I will continue to share the travel deals I find, I will post pictures and stories, etc. My only hope is that my humble blog continues to gain followers and I can inspire someone to step outside of their comfort zone and try something new. 

Remember, travel isn't just about planes, trains and automobiles. It's a state of mind and being. You can travel up the street and hopefully there's an adventure there waiting for you. The other day my mom told me that I needed to sit down somewhere. In the past two months, I've only been home one weekend. But nah....while I'm alive and able, I will and now that I've begun, there's no turning back.

It takes tooooo much energy to make someone feel like an outsider. I'd rather expend energy getting lost in another country and telling y'all about how I tried to find my way. 

So for all those who are out there who post pictures and videos of your excursions with the express purpose of one-upping, making jealous, boasting, bragging, exaggerating, showing off, etc....cut it out. I see you and you should be ashamed. Don't do it for the bravado. Do it for the story, for the memory. You should be out here living, not making someone else feel like crap b/c they don't have the same opportunities and resources. 

This post is brought to you by a convo I had with a bff just this morning. It stirred something in my spirit and I just had to get that off my chest. Thanks for reading.....make it a great weekend. 

New Orleans, How I Do Adore Thee

New Orleans is the perfect weekend getaway imo...especially from Houston. 

A 5 hour drive, or a 1 hour plane ride (my preferred method of travel b/c why prolong the inevitable?), will transport you to a city that looks and feels like a completely different world. 

It's hard to put into words, but New Orleans is a city that is bursting at the seams with culture, from the food and music to the architecture. When I'm there, I instantly feel connected to my creole roots, distant though they may be. 

I guess that's why it's listed in Forbes 10 Best Cities for Weekend Vacation as the most European city in the US. I think that fits well...among the city's other nick names. 

So whenever someone suggests a quick getaway, I'm always down for the cause. I guess that explains why I've already been to New Orleans three times this year...and have another 2 visits planned. It never gets old tho. There's always something fun and exciting...I could sustain myself on people watching alone. The vibe is so cool and laid back. Every one is literally there...just to have a good time. 

So, 2 weekends ago was no different. We hopped in the rental suburban and one of the only two males in the group navigated I10 East like he may have played one too many racing games. 

Quick sidenote: I really hate being in cars for long periods of time. Planes, I don't mind for some reason...but a car is like the worst thing ever. I'm anxious and antsy the whole time. On a plane, I can fall asleep with no issue. In the car...I'm impossibly wide awake. 

The drive to New Orleans isn't really that bad. It's scenic and there's lots of little towns on the way. My favorite part is the swamp area, right outside the city limits. When you pass thru at night, it looks like something straight out of a horror film, very creepy. But its not just creepy...its mysterious and whimsical. From inside the suburban on I10, the still waters appear calm and peaceful. But my mind wanders to what may be going on down there...a gator looking for its next meal...snakes slithering around, a family gathered around the dinner table? (Yes, there are homes in the swamplands too!)...here's a picture that gives an idea of what I mean. I found it on another blog:

I love how the leafless trees stand up straight out of the swamp. It's such an interesting scene. Has anyone ever read "The Secret of Magic" by Deborah Johnson? I was reminded of the magical forest that was a running theme in this story. (Thanks for the rec, Fallon) 

Now take notes, I'm about to help you save some money on hotels:

We got to NO shortly after midnight, stopped for gas, restroom break and cash...changed in the parking lot (maybe you wanna find somewhere more secure place to change or ride in the outfit you plan to wear) and headed straight out to the Quarter. *Don't wear anything fancy...it'll get sweaty and dirty and you'll regret it. 

Yes, we had a car full of luggage and no, I don't really recommend this part, but we found a parking garage that was only about 2 blocks from Canal and a block or two over from Bourbon and parked in there for $10. That's safer alternative to parking a loaded Suburban on the street.

To me, Friday on Bourbon is better than Saturday (a personal interjection). Anyway, we hung out down there (leaving out the details on purpose. NO is like Vegas) and headed to Harrah's a few hours later. For those of you who like to gamble, this is perfect for you. I hate gambling, so I just watch. There's also restaurants that serve food all night and the Masquerade, the club inside the casino. 

Before you know it, the sun is rising and you're so tired you can barely keep you eyes open. That's the perfect time to use Hotels Tonight or Hotels.com to find lodging that will let you check in early and sleep until hunger wakes you. In essence, you've only paid for a hotel for one night!!

Of course, this method is not for everyone but it works...trust me. Fortunately, Hotel Modern was able to accommodate us and with minimal research. Actually, I called Hotels.com and had them search for a hotel that had early check-in. Here are some shots from the Quarter: 

(Photo Cred: Dani M. Carter)

  

 

(Photo Cred: Dani M. Carter)

Hunger stirred us around 2pm. So we indulged in Port of Call burgers and steaks, kind of a New Orleans staple. 

(Photo Cred: Krystal D. Carter)

(Photo Cred: Krystal D. Carter)

There's always something going on in New Orleans. So, after we stuffed ourselves, we walked thru the French Market and stumbled upon the Creole Tomato Festival which celebrates the start of tomato season. Locals and tourists alike came out to enjoy the food booths and demonstrations, live music and creole tomato tastings, as well as other traditional cajun cuisine. It was quite the scene, even during intermittent rain showers.

After a brief siesta, that wasn't really a nap but more like an opportunity for the older members of the group to recharge their batteries for the night's festivities, we set out for dinner at Acme Seafood in the Quarter to get our fill of chargrilled oysters (the only kind of oyster I'll eat). Acme was closed for a private event but I had gotten a discount coupon from Oceana the night before and they serve the oysters too so we headed there. 

We were seated on the third floor and served by Alex. Our waiter was full of energy and earned every dime of his tip. The food there wasn't great, it seemed mass produced and not really made with love, but Alex's excellent service more than made up for what the food lacked. We were full and happy, no real complaints. 

We headed back out to the Quarter. I can't remember where, all the neon lights on Bourbon start to look the same after you've been there so many times, but I randomly ran into some of my high school classmates. It had been about 14 years since I'd seen them last.

The club inside Harrah's is way more jumpy on Saturday nights than Friday. So half of us migrated there while the other half jumped on the tables. Again, I don't gamble sooooo.....not interesting to me. The DJ was awesome that night...fun times. 

The next morning, we jumped a few hurdles before we were able to get back on the road, but nothing too hot too handle, and we were back in Htine around 3pm. That's just enough time to recover and get your mind right for work on Monday. 

Great weekend....but then again, New Orleans is always a good idea.