New Orleans, Louisiana

In the late afternoon, we arrived at our new home. The Nola Inn & Suites has seen better days. The room has hardly changed since the 60s. The somewhat run-down location would be the perfect setting for a murder case. Everything fits: the facade, the furniture, the huge tube TV, the old bathroom, even the slightly musty smell when entering the room. The staff couldn't have been more authentic. Two older ladies who could hardly speak, and a skinny, dark-skinned janitor who spoke in the thickest Southern accent - we understood very little and did what you always do in such situations. We smiled and nodded politely. A wonderful setting, but admittedly a bit creepy.

After getting comfortable, we contacted Kevin. We met him while trekking in Myanmar. Since Kevin had to work that evening (he's a bartender), we decided to visit him later at the bar. We took an Uber to the city in the evening. The Bourbon Street, a world-famous nightlife hotspot, was bustling that evening. We found out that the Decadence Gay Pride was taking place this weekend. As expected, there were many colorful and dressed-up women and men. We liked the lively but extremely peaceful atmosphere. At a restaurant, we tried Po-Boys - a type of sandwich filled with various ingredients. It came with fries. Not a light meal, but a delicious one. Afterwards, we visited the bar Marilou, where we spotted Kevin behind the bar. His wild beard had transformed into a well-groomed stubble, his hiking shoes into elegant dress shoes, and his hiking shirt into a trendy shirt. What a change. The joy of reunification was immense. Out of nowhere, a glass of port wine and a glass of champagne appeared. A truly sophisticated reception. We stayed there for a while and admired the beautiful bar. To end the night, Kevin mixed us a drink. We made plans to meet on Monday and said goodbye. Back on Bourbon Street, we let ourselves be carried away by the crowd and stopped by a few bars. Live bands were playing everywhere - there was something for every taste. However, we couldn't get into any venues after midnight because we had stupidly left our IDs at home. The age restrictions are strictly enforced in the USA compared to Asian countries.

The next day, we wrote some travel blogs - we had fallen far behind in Canada. Besides, it was too hot during the day to go on big excursions. The air-conditioned room was pleasantly cool. In the evening, we went back to the French Quarter and wandered aimlessly through the streets. We discovered many jazz clubs, fortune tellers, and voodoo shops. New Orleans is not only the birthplace of jazz but also the center of the voodoo cult. We hadn't researched the city very well beforehand, and we were very surprised by the wide variety. Unlike in the movies, where voodoo dolls are used to harm others, they are considered a symbol of luck and love here. We could have learned a lot more in the voodoo museum, but our interest in the cult was too minimal.

For dinner, Andrea dared to try grilled alligator. The meat was surprisingly tender and very flavorful. The texture of the meat is somewhere between fish and chicken. For once, we had salad instead of fries. Mathias had crawfish pasta. The so-called 'Crawfish' resembles a shrimp and is also considered a local specialty, just like the alligator. By the way, there are still plenty of free-living specimens of both species. We ended the evening with good music - this time we brought our IDs. We took an Uber taxi back home.

We were looking forward to our meeting with Kevin. In the evening, we wandered through the French Quarter again, the historic district. Architecturally, it's a wonderful place as well. The many colorful houses in Spanish and French colonial style, and the many trees give this neighborhood a special charm. We walked about three kilometers from the French Quarter to a wine bar. Here we met up with Kevin and his colleague. The walk led through various residential areas and a former industrial district. Seeing the city from this less luxurious side was extremely interesting. Without Kevin's insider tip, we probably wouldn't have ventured into this area.

We really liked the concept of the wine bar. In the front area, a sort of wine cellar, you can choose the desired wine. Various cheese and meat varieties are also available. After payment, the cashier bags up the purchases. A few minutes later, a beautifully prepared meat and cheese platter arrives, which is refined with various items such as olives. A really nice idea. In the beautiful backyard, wine and food can be enjoyed with pleasant jazz music. This brings back memories of our time together in the Burmese jungle. A unique experience.

Next, we continue to a seedy local bar with a pool table and darts. Tourists are hard to find here. Instead, we meet more of Kevin's friends. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and this reunion was also short-lived. What lingers longer are the beautiful shared memories of Myanmar and New Orleans. And who knows, maybe one day in Switzerland.

The next morning, we continue in our pickup truck towards Dallas. We will make a stopover in Shreveport.