A love letter to New Orleans from Trupti Devdas Nayak a freelance writer and photographer.

Dear New Orleans,

I fell in love with you when I first visited in 2014. You left a vivid impression on me and I’ve dreamed of returning ever since. Everybody wants to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, but there is so much more to this beautiful city. Anytime is a good time to visit New Orleans. 

We planned our first visit to New Orleans a couple weeks before Mardi Gras. Knowing how crowded the city would be for the world-famous carnival festival, we wanted to experience the excitement as the city prepared for their krewes and grand parades, but we also wanted to get the best experience without too many crowds. This turned out to be the perfect plan because we got to see some of the early parades that started a week before Mardi Gras, and we also got to experience New Orleans for what it is – a beautiful city, rich with music, food and love – without the carnival madness. 

I love New Orleans because it is like no other city I’ve visited in the United States. The birth place of Jazz and Blues shines brilliantly when it comes to all things music. One of Shakespeare’s most famous quotes from Twelfth Night, “If music be the food of love, play on” is apt for this city. New Orleans epitomizes this quote with its rich music scene (jazz and blues), its unbelievable food scene that makes this city a true haven for foodies from all over the world, and with its warm welcoming spirit that embraces all travelers and makes them wish they never have to leave New Orleans. 

I love to stay anywhere in or close to the French Quarter. This is after all the oldest neighborhood in the city. If you can get a room in one of the vintage hotels, even better. With their lovely wrought-iron balconies and chiffon-cake-like exterior decorations, the hotels in the French Quarter are works of art that you will actually live in, even if its just for a night or two. 

My favorite restaurant is K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen (Paul Prudhomme’s restaurant). I thought I’d died and gone to heaven after eating the first bite of my breaded, fried chicken which came with fried green tomatoes and shrimp remoulade. Classic New Orleans! 

The one thing you must do:  Head straight to the Frenchmen Street in  Faubourg Marigny and walk down the 3 blocks, popping in and out of an endless line of jazz clubs that have live bands playing (almost all of them). Grab a bite and drink as the soothing strains of blues and peppy jazz revitalize your spirit and make you want to dance like no one’s watching. 

I was so enthralled by all the things to see and do in New Orleans that I made my own A-Z list called the  A-B-C’s of New Orleans with 26 things to do when visiting this lovely city. Part 1 has been up on my blog   Exploring The Blue Marble, and I’m working on Parts 2 and 3 which will be published soon, I promise! My top 5 must-do activities when in New Orleans are – 

1. Never skip a meal! There are so many delectable dishes to choose from. Make sure you try the Po-Boys, Shrimp & Grits, Jambalaya, Rockefeller Oysters, Gumbo, the list goes on and on! 
2. Walk everywhere, don’t miss the Frenchmen Street at night for live bands playing jazz and blues
3. Head to Cafe Du Monde at 4am and indulge in their world-famous sugar-dusted beignets and wake-me-up chicory coffee
4. Walk around Garden District and get lost amongst all the stunning houses with beautiful porches and gorgeous exterior details, Take a historic walking tour and time travel to the city’s gorgeous past
5. Visit Lafayette Cemetery, it has been called one of the world’s most beautiful thanks to its ornate above-ground cemeteries

New Orleans gave me a fresh perspective on life and how to be grateful and happy. Despite the recent and tragic devastation suffered by the city and its people due to Hurricane Katrina, I sensed tremendous courage and spirit everywhere I went. New Orleans has bounced back strong and all due to its people. People in New Orleans really know how to enjoy life, whether it involves grooving to great music or sipping on whisky and savoring spectacular food and the city’s unique cuisines (Creole, Cajun and other traditional dishes found only in New Orleans). In fact, most often you will find them doing both! Come to New Orleans to find the true meaning of joie de vivre. 

An hour’s drive away from New Orleans is a completely different world worth visiting. The plantations of Louisiana are reminders of the state’s historic past, complete with working plantations and guide-led tours. Our visit to two of the most famous plantations in the area – Oak Alley Plantation, and Laura’s Creole Plantation were well worth our time. Oak Alley in particular was spectacular with tall ancient oaks lining both sides of a picturesque driveway. Not many visitors get away from the New Orleans city center, but visiting the plantations is a great way to learn more about Louisiana’s rich history. 

About the author:
Trupti Devdas Nayak is a freelance writer and photographer who is as passionate about travel as she is about writing. Her greatest joy is when she combines these interests to craft a story that is both compelling and evocative. Among other things, Trupti has trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, snorkeled with sharks in Oahu, witnessed horses dancing flamenco in Andalusia and has hiked in over 35 national parks around the world and counting.
Visit her website: www.exploringthebluemarble.com