A Typical New Orleans Day

The breeze blew by a moment ago and I smelled the sweet, sweet waft of New Orleans oleander.  It isn't the time of year when oleander is in bloom.  It's almost December.  It's 72 degrees at the end of November.  Cajuns are getting ready to fry their turkeys for Thanksgiving Day.  Hooooo-ee, there is nothing so nice as a typical New Orleans day and today is pretty typical.

The past is always present in New Orleans.  Even autumn contains hints of spring.  Nothing is dead forever in New Orleans.  Our city is a city with tenacious grit.  Come hell or high water, New Orleans forever.  Living in a bowl below sea level in the sub-tropics, whatever happens is a typical day in New Orleans.  We never know what any day will bring.

Open up your nose in New Orleans and you'll have to open your heart.  

New Orleans smells like April freshness every time of year.  Something is always in bloom.  In November, when New England is fiery golden brown, the breeze in New Orleans carries traces of faraway pollen along the city's convoluted street grids, and the breeze picks up all sorts of other beguiling floral scents along its way.  New Orleans smells ineffable.  Somebody should figure out how to bottle New Orleans air and sell it.  

A light breeze on a November afternoon in New Orleans is a thing to take for granted only if you live here. We live in a city of small epiphanies and magical moments.  Sanctus, sanctus, NOLA.  Revelations are around every corner.   

Walk past a kitchen in New Orleans and you'll be hungry for more. Pass up the chance to win big at the race track?  No way.  Listen!  Can you hear that tuba player, that way?  Listen.  There are trumpets, too.  It's a parade.  Let's join in. 

There are horses in this parade, too.

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I bumped into Jimmy at the parade.  He was using a cane but he's looking well.  He danced like he was 50 years younger than he is.  We rolled together for about three blocks but then I had to peel off because I had to write this story.

You never know what will happen on any day in New Orleans.  This is just a typical New Orleans day.  Nobody ever says their visit to New Orleans is too long.  It is always too short.  The longer you are here, the more you'll enjoy unpredictable days like today.

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:

La Belle Esplanade is a small hotel in New Orleans that sponsors this blog.  If you are thinking of visiting New Orleans, we hope you will consider staying at La Belle Esplanade.  You belong here.  Check out our website and see what you think.  When you're ready, we're here for you.