Vacation Time! (MBMB)

Well, it’s been a month since I got back to Ecuador and I can say that traveling to New Orleans has been one of the best experiences I've ever had. Even though I went there for a course, I had a really nice time. Since my arrival in New Orleans on Saturday, June 9^th, I realized this city was completely  different from any other place I’ve been to before, and it was not only because of what I had read or researched about it before getting there, but it was just something in the air, maybe something magical and a bit strange.  After leaving my bags at the residence, I met a couple of friends and we went to Bourbon Street, we had some nice Gumbo, Jambalaya and Rice and Beans, and then we went to the French Market and to the Creole Tomato Festival, it was really interesting, and people all over were very nice and polite, it seemed as if they already knew us, they were really nice, all of them would smile and say “hi”! It was good for a change! On Sunday, I went downtown on my own, and spent a lot of time walking all around. When I got tired, I went to the shores of the Mississippi River and sat on a bench, just watching the people pass. 

Of course, Monday arrived, and classes began, it was then when I realized that I was not really going to have a lot of free time during the week, so I had to make the best out of my weekends. And so, the second weekend came and I enjoyed it a lot, Jazz at a hotel, the Zoo, it was great!! And just like that, another week had gone by.

Next Saturday, I went with some friends to the Catfish Festival; at first it wasn’t what I was expecting – a big festival, full of places to eat and shop and local bands playing – it was nice though, I got four books for one dollar and that was crazy, you cannot find that kind of deals here in Ecuador!! We had a great time there, and the best thing was that we got home early and we were able to take the shuttle to Lakeside Mall and so, in the afternoon we went shopping!! We spent 5 hours at the mall, it was great!! On Sunday, we went back to the French Quarter and the Mississippi!! Some more shopping at the French Market, and back home again!

The last couple of weeks were really wonderful; I dare say they were the best! My weekend began on Thursday this time, I went to the Aquarium and it was a unique experience, I’ve never been to one before and it was great!! But the best thing was watching the play Hamlet at Tulane University, it was so incredibly amazing, I just loved it, the way the actors were able to capture the essence of Shakespeare’s play was simply astonishing!! On Saturday, we went to the Honey Island Swamp Tour, and it was also amazing, it was the first time I’ve ever seen alligators in the wild, and I can really say it was breath-taking to watch those animals so close, I have no words to describe the feeling. Later on, in the afternoon we went to Tanger Outlets, and I found some really good and cheap things, so I had to buy them all!!

After a crazy Saturday came a touching Sunday, a friend of mine and I went to Saint Augustine Catholic Church. I was looking for a church where Gospel was sung, because one of my best friends wanted me to record it for her. However, when we got there, I was so overwhelmed by the service that I just didn’t record anything, besides I realized that it would have been disrespectful to do so. It was really touching to see and listen to people singing from their hearts, and truly believing in something greater than themselves. I’m not a religious person; I’ve never been, however, while I was there I felt how people connected to each other, and let the best of them out, I cannot really explain my feelings at that exact moment, but it was simply great. After church we went to the French Market once more, then, we walked along the shores of the Mississippi, and finally we ended up at Harrah’s Casino!!  We didn’t spend but two dollars. We just walked around talking about how interesting it was to see people wasting a whole lot of money there, and how addictive it can get. After that, we had a nice hamburger and we came back home.

Looking back I can say that it was really a great trip, I really had an amazing time there, and I'm looking forward to going back!!