Kettle-Head: A True New Orleans Character

Unless you live in our part of New Orleans, you've probably never heard of Kettle-Head.  He is a hyper-local personality, a neighborhood character who is both tolerate and respected, the way every New Orleanian is respected by his or her neighbors.  We live in a tightly knit community.  We are all New Orleanians.  We are all in this together.  

Kettle-Head is not a hero.  He is just somebody who does what he does.  Why does he do it?  As most people who live here will answer you if you ask, we do what we do because that's what we do.  We live in a puzzle of a city, each piece in its place.  There is room for all and we all know we belong in our niche.

In a New Orleans state of mind, faith trumps reason.  Being is truth unto itself, being grounded in being a part of community.  We are all in this together, everyone.

You can wear a 20-gallon crawfish pot on your head and still be a respected member of your community if you have good reasons for doing so.  No one asks questions when something is right.  It's just accepted.  Welcome to a New Orleans state of mind, the best kind.

Angels dream of spending time on Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans.

I'm not going to talk much about Kettle-Head today, aside from this brief introduction.  I've known of him for a long time.  I've seen him in Tremé, the neighborhood we live in, and I've seen him in the 7th Ward, the neighborhood that is located on the other side of Esplanade Avenue from our address.  Esplanade Avenue is both a dividing line between neighborhoods and it is a spine that runs through our part of the New Orleans, binding and supporting the whole shebang.

I've had the pleasure and privilege to talk with Kettle-Head recently, both as Kettle-Head and as his alter ego.  He is a gentleman.  I've transcribed some of these conversations and I'll be publishing them here on this blog, with his permission, until I stop.  

I asked Kettle-Head if he minded me making his story public.  His answer to me: "Do what you think you need to do.  As long as you tell the truth about me, I don't mind at all."  That kind of response that takes courage.  That's New Orleans courage, the courage to be oneself.

No fear.  More beer.  More New Orleans.  

Stay tuned for further updates.  

Have a great New Orleans day today,

La Belle Esplanade

There is a physical New Orleans and then there is a New Orleans of the heart.  Keep your eyes open in this wonderful city we call home and you’ll learn what it means to fall in love with New Orleans.  We’re here for you.  You have two friends on Esplanade Avenue.    Follow our other blog, or, follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.  Keep yourself in a New Orleans state of mind.  There is regular happy, and then there is New Orleans happy.  When you’re ready to visit, you know where to find us: we’re in the bright orange house with blue shutters.  Good memories are made on our street.

We only have five suites.  Ours is a small artisanal operation.  You know how you get the best beer from a craft brewery.  Well, you get the best hospitality from a craft hotel.  We know what we’re doing.  Let us share the real New Orleans with you, not the off-the-rack version.  Plug your dates into our calendar and see what we have available.  Plan ahead.  With only five suites we tend to fill up early.

Stay as long as you can.  No one ever says their visit to New Orleans is too long.  They always say it is too short.  The longer you are here, the more you’ll realize how much more there is to discover and explore.  There are good surprises around every corner.  New Orleans blooms with happiness.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us, that’s what we’re here for.  We look forward to meeting you in person.