Day 40: Freret Street Market and The Lower 9th Ward

Had breakfast at a nearby place called Surrey's Juice Bar which had really good food (and vegan options!). I had strawberry cream cheese stuffed french toast and mom had a crawfish etouffee omelet. Next we went to the Freret Street Market which only occurs once a month so we were lucky to catch it.

We saw two bands, The Lagniappe Brass Band and The Louisiana Hellbenders.

They had a record high temperature that day, 100 degrees, which is 5 degrees hotter than the last record temperature. Mom and I were both suffering but it helped to have a cold drink (only 3 bucks for an Abita? Why not? It's nearly 3pm already) and not move too much. We were amazed by a guy there who was dancing his butt off and completely soaked in sweat.


Next we hopped in the car, cranked the AC, and drove over to the Lower 9th Ward (the neighborhood hardest hit by Katrina) to see how it's doing. There is still a lot of evident devastation but also signs of improvement. I saw what looked like one of the Brangelina houses and most of the empty lots looked more tended to and less wild this time. Here's a fixed up place. It was nice to see one. There were many poignant or artsy photo opportunities but I was driving and didn't really want to linger too long. It just seems a little insulting to gawk at the total destruction of someone else's life. But I might not have been out of place. Apparently there are tour buses that go through the area now.

We had another Groupon to use so we went to The Saltwater Grill out past Audubon park by the river bend circle. It is probably really average by New Orleans standards but I enjoyed my shrimp and grits. That's a pile of cheese and bacon in the middle so it was a little rich. The grilled artichoke appetizer was nice too. I wanted to go out again tonight but we had to get up early tomorrow for a Plantation tour so we called it a night after dinner.

6/4/11