NOLA - New Orleans

From one rocking city to the next.  We did the 9 hour drive from Austin to New Orleans.  Leaving the small hick towns of Texas behind, we entered Louisiana where we were welcomed by large upstate mansions. The colours that are splattered across the façades of the city's architecture give NOLA its characteristic lively atmosphere. Each house seems more beautiful than the next and you get lost in a maze of colours and street corners.

We stayed in a typical "gunshot" house where each room continues through to the next, without any corridors in between. While this obviously takes away from privacy, it gives houses a communal feel, as there is no place to hide! We stayed with some lovely Frenchies who told us all the must-see's and -do's and came out with us for a ridiculous night at a dinky little bar called BJ's. A night that started with harmless $4 margaritas, dancing and chatting with new friends who handed us small baggies of dope as sign of friendship, and ended with a ride home from a hick but friendly ex-army guy in exchange for said baggies of dope and our very last $1 bill. He was convinced we would get mugged in the ghetto around the corner if we walked. Americans. Gotta love em.

Anyone who is in New Orleans on a Monday night must go to BJ's for King James and the Special Men!

And New Orleans, as y'all know, is all about the music. We had always heard that NOLA was all about the jazz, and were surprised to find that this was not the case. After spending a good many hours in a record shop, and dropping some serious cash for some serious loads of vinyl, we were educated by the store-keeper as to the fact that the real "New Orleans sound" originated from Rhythm & Blues. And that's what we continued to find in all the music around the city. Once the sun started coming down, there was music on every street corner. The city was transformed and there was literally singing and dancing in the streets! Beer was cheap and the company was good. We felt at home.

Of course, it being a Jake holiday, we still had to eat our heart's out. I was so excited to hear about a place called Elizabeth's Restaurant on Gallier Street that did candied praline bacon! It was as good as it sounded and the clogged arteries were well worth it!

That was also how we found the most awesome of record stores. Just around the corner from Elizabeth's is a place called Euclid Records on Charters street. Go and support the small guys people!

The rest of our adventures continued in this fabulous city, with many music and food highlights. Ashamedly too hung over to remember the name of the incredible sandwich bar we went to on my birthday. We were sore and dizzy from dancing at BJ's the night before and I had to spoon-feed Sprite into Naomi's mouth so that she wouldn't vomit all over the amazing meaty goodness we had ordered. By night-fall we were feeling revived but still needed some grease so ventured to Yo Mama's for peanut butter bacon burgers. Yep. Americans have got it all worked out.

                                                    NOLA I love you.

Austin TX

Finally my dreams have come true.  I feel like I have been waiting my whole life to step foot in this boot scootin Texan town.  This is a post of my favourite discoveries I made in my short 5 days in Austin - The best place in the world!!!!

Food trucks everywhere

Barton Springs is a natural water spring located in Zilker park, the perfect cool down on a 40 degree Texan day.

Our friends Benny and Cindy happened to be in town and pretty much being locals of Austin they came with many recommendations one being the best bloody mary in town, Opal Divines.

best shopping

best boots

best coffee in town

best ice cream in town

There is literally hundreds of BBQ in town, being the capital of Texan BBQ they sure know how to do it down here.  My question to Benny and Cindy "If you were to choose one in Austin which one?" "Ruby's".  There brisket is hormone and steroid free and the choice of sides are great.

           

Cinema by movie lovers, for movie lovers.  Dine in cinema with food matched to the movie and tasty craft beers.   http://drafthouse.com/austin

                

Sleep at the Austin Motel in the heart of South Congress and more importantly directly across the road from the continental club.  The grandaddy of local music venues since 1957.

The Elvis Show - Best, most memorable birthday - Continental Club

This is how much I love Texas

Lucy's Fried Chicken, the perfect home cooking comfort food.  Do try the deep fried devilled eggs, delicious crispy fried chicken and the spicy bloody mary with chicken salt and pickled vegetables!  

Day trip to the small historic town of Gruene.  Home to the Gruene Hall built in 1878, is Texas's the oldest  continually operating and most famous dance hall.  Names such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Otis Redding and Bo Diddley have graced the stage.

The last BBQ we were taken to was Kreuz Market an Texan institution located close to Gruene in a small town named Lockhart.  Walking through the large barn doors into the hottest, smokiest, happiest place on earth we lined up and choose our array of meats.  One of each please! We tried the beef brisket, the cheddar jalapeno link sausage a few grams of the most delicious smoky pork shoulder.