Everlink Adventures: The Big Easy

We had an amazing time on our first trip to the Big Easy! I was contemplating on what to do for Tony’s big four-oh. A surprise party wasn't really his style, but the usual dinner out didn’t seem to fit the occasion. I thought a trip to one of the islands might be the trick, but he suggested New Orleans. Neither of us had been and I didn’t know much about the city, but he was convinced that we would both love it. He was absolutely right! We’ve done quite a bit of travelling recently, and although all of our trips were special and we’ve enjoyed each one, New Orleans was a different kind of fun! The kind we haven’t had in a long time. We were there during the Mardi Gras season, let's leave it at that. But the trip didn’t start out on such a high note.

French Quarter

Tony worked till the very last minute on the day we were to fly out. His conference call ended at 4:30pm and we were on the road immediately after for our 7pm flight out of BWI. Tony was in a bit of a zone, probably still in work mode. I thought I’d give him until we reached the airport to snap out of it and get excited.

A little over an hour later we pulled into the parking garage, spent some time finding a spot, then hopped on the shuttle to the terminal. We reached the self check out kiosk with about an hour to spare. All we had to do was print out tickets, go through security, and we would be on our way!!

French Quarter

I grabbed the first available kiosk and pulled out my phone for my flight and confirmation info, but when I looked, I instantly felt sick to my stomach! Did I read that right? Did it say DCA, instead of BWI??? OMG!! We were at the wrong airport!!! We had an hour to catch our flight and DCA was OVER an hour away!! I didn’t even want to look at Tony, but somehow I sputtered out the words and told him our predicament. And just as usual, he took the news like a champ and said, “Okay, let’s go to the counter and see what they can do for us.” So much for snapping out of it and getting excited.

Entrance of Omni Royal Orleans

We approached the first available agent at the airline counter. He was in such a good mood, singing and dancing. As soon as I told him we were at the wrong airport, he abruptly stopped and frowned. Although we were the ones with the problem, I actually felt bad about killing his festive mood. He quickly went to work to help us find the next available flight out. The good news was that there was one available. The bad news was that it didn’t leave until 6am the next morning with a stop in Houston. We didn't have much of a choice. The agent booked our new flight without charging us any fees for our silly mistake. Thanks, Southwest!

One of the oldest restaurants in New Orleans and home of the world famous beignets: Cafe du Monde

Luckily, my father-in-law lives 10 minutes from DCA and he was out of town (at our house with our daughter, in fact) so we were able to stay at his condo that night. We made the most of the night and went out for dinner and drinks and had a great time! We went to bed early and was up at 4am, ready for this adventure to begin!

DCA is small and getting around is easy, especially at 5am on a Saturday. We printed our tickets at the kiosk and started for the security gates. A few moments later, Tony asked for his tickets. I look through the two in my hand and, OMG, what did I do now??? Both tickets were mine! Without saying a word, I dashed back to the kiosk, leaving Tony standing there completely baffled. Luckily, not too many people fly out of DCA that early on Saturdays and both of his tickets were still on the kiosk tray, untouched. I grabbed them and ran back to him, smiled sheepishly, and handed him his tickets. “Oh my god,” he said, and laughed at me.

New Orleans Jazz band, Bon Bon Vivant

We proceeded to the security gate. At the front of the line, I approached the agent first and handed him my ticket and ID. He looked at the ID, then looked at the ticket, then at the ID again, then at me and finally asked, “Are you Anthony?”

I thought, “is this whole trip going to be like this?”

Thankfully, it wasn’t. That was the last of my fumbles. After exchanging tickets with Tony, we got through the security gate and made it to New Orleans!

Haunted real estate in the French Quarter

There’s so much to say about this amazing town that I’m not even sure where to start. I fell in love as soon as we turned onto Saint Louis and I saw my first double-gallery house with it’s balconies filled with gorgeous hanging flower pots. This blog is long enough, so I’ll just say this; if you love food, beautiful architecture, history, culture, live street music, and being surrounded by some of the friendliest people on earth, go to New Orleans. Read about the history of the town. Learn the difference between Creole and Cajun. And once you’re there talk to the locals and get the scoop on where to go and what to do to make the best of your time.

Seafood gumbo at Pere Antoine Restaurant

And if you’re lucky enough to be able to go during the Mardi Gras season, well, that’ll take it to a whole new level. There's a reason Mark Twain said, "It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans."

~ Stephanie