New Orleans will smell a little better

La Belle Esplanade at night

A few weeks ago, the electrician visited, and he put outlets on the balconies.  I had forgotten about it until the other night.  It's not that I had forgotten the electrician, but the project.  When your bank owns a house built in 1883, and you are as handy as your humble narrator, there is always somebody stopping by to fix something.  

Bernard, the electrician, was actually here to fix something, I forget what, and Frau Schmitt asked him to install outlets on the balconies.  She thought it would be nice.  She is usually right about these things.  I didn't realize until last night that she had strung lights on the bannisters.

The couple staying in Les Saintes Suite were sitting on the balcony, enjoying a balmy March evening.  It was 70 degrees.  

La Belle Esplanade during the day

Not just the lady on our sign, but some other people are going sleeveless in New Orleans recently because it's been so balmy.  Having lived most of our lives in northern climes, Frau Schmitt and I are happy to say we have not seen a flake of snow for three years.

As I was enjoying the view from our front porch yesterday, a man walked past playing an oud.  It's not the kind of instrument you hear every day on the street in New Orleans, but I can't say anything surprises me anymore.  

Image courtesy of wikipedia

As he went on his way, the sound of his song got softer and softer until it was just a hint on the breeze.  Then it was just the wind rustling through the oak trees while the 91 bus pulled up to its stop with its loudspeaker announcing, "Caution: This bus is making a turn," even though it runs straight on till Rampart Street.  

I saw Bernard across the street, not the electrician but one of our neighbors.  He was eating a quarter muffaletta from Central Grocery.  

For those who don't know, a muffaletta is a sandwich made on a foot-round loaf of bread that is stuffed with Italian cold cuts and cheese.  The size isn't what makes it special.  What makes it special is that it is dressed with olive salad.  It's the olive salad that makes the best muffaletta; that and the people behind the counter at Central Grocery.

"Extra olives," Bernard said as he held up his lunch for me to see.  He waved an oily hand in my direction as he went indoors and I waved back.

An oud and olives... an oud and olives... olives and oud... of course!  

2216 Esplanade Avenue

We've been thinking of offering something a little more special at our historic New Orleans bed and breakfast inn.  I am not going to list all of our current amenities, but you are welcome to click this link to learn more.  

I happen to know an artisanal soap maker living in the most beautiful port city in all of Connecticut.  Since we live in the most beautiful port city in all of Louisiana, with no disrespect intended toward Port Sulfur, we thought it would be nice to give these two cities something else in common.

You can find Olive and Oud soap in New London, CT, and soon you will be able to find it New Orleans, LA.  If you are so inclined, you can even it purchase it online.

After the kind of extensive, hard-nosed negotiations two friendly businesspeople have when they know and trust each other, Olive and Oud has kindly agreed to send us parcels of soaps via USPS.  It is always nice to get mail.  This delivery promises to be extra fragrant.  Updates to follow.

The Haitian flag is on the river side of the house

A votre sante,
La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast