New orleans, NAWLINS, or NOLA

This is such a late post.. Long story short, I went to visit Yvette who works in Lafayette, LA for my summer break in August with some other CMU friends, Karen and Ling. Though our trip was only 4 days, it was definitely one of my favorite summer trips in my whole entire life. My first impression of Louisiana can be described in two words: humidity, and hospitality. Being away from Boston summer, which was chilly and breezy, it was great to be back somewhere like seoul where I can wear summer clothes to the fullest and sweat as much as I can. I love talking to strangers in louisiana because they always refer to me as ma'am or dear :) That's something that is hard to hear from someone from the streets in Boston. These are some pictures that summarizes my best memory of this summer!

Reunion with my lovelies, Karen and Yvette :) 

we went to this place called "shady oak cafe" to eat southern take out lunch! Heard the restaurant started by a guy who just likes to cook for other people and it got so popular that he made his parking garage into a huge kitchen to start actually selling this souther homefood. 

We visited the tabasco factor in Avery Island, LA. Seems unbelievable but literally ALL tabasco bottles in the world are produced in one factory that we visited! 

Had Boudin (pronouced BOO-DAN) for the first time and it was so juicy and flavorful :)

One thing we cannot miss in Louisiana is... LIVE MUSIC!! We went to blue moon saloon where the back of the house is turned into a small pub, but the band was all cleaning up after the concert :( so we approached the lead singer and he sang live acoustic version of his song just for us girls. That was so sweet. Side note: Louisiana local beers are SO GOOD!!! i highly recommend to try ABITA series.

Here goes the New Orleans photos!

Walking around the french quarter of NOLA made me feel like I was in Europe. This is probably because new orleans was once ruled under France back in the history so the streets, architecture, small structures had strong french influences. It was absolutely beautiful. 

What else is famous in New Orleans? BEIGNETS! They are more like cousins of donuts without the hole and a lot of super powder. Their coffee is also.. AMAZING. For a daily coffee drinker, this treat of dessert and coffee definitely gave me energy to stay up for my night at the bourbon street :P 

Before we headed to the famous Bourbon street, Yvette took us out to eat at a Live Jazz backyard wine bar. The front store is a wine cellar and we buy the wine there to bring it to the backyard to enjoy with the food. The lightening and music just made the whole place so dreamy and full of romantic atmosphere. It was great catching up with everyone and reminiscing college memories :) Side note: the wine LOLA 2013 was the best wine I ever had.

Then we headed to the bourbon street, but this was not how it looked like when we went! :P psychh

We started our night with the famous HANDGRANADE DRINKS! thank you Karen for losing the bet and buying us all the drinks :)

After a crazy night, we HAD to stop by a pizza place to eat our mandatory late night food. hehe

Next morning, we woke up to get our brunch at Achafalaya near the Magazine St. 

Live music is EVERYWHERE!

 Bulldog Bar on Magazine St. 

We felt bad for Ling who waited for us for hours while we shop at these small vintage stores 

Beer time!  

Another dessert time! Snow ice cone :) 

Yvette is so cute in the background 

 Out dinner at Jacques Imo's 

If you want good flavorful spicy southern food, GO THERE!

Caught the mid-year Mardi Gras Parade :) 

Next day, we went back to yvette's place to get ready to go back to the east coast.. 

Before the flight, we had a 2-hr long outdoor bbq lunch with Yvette and her coworkers! 

It was probably my first and last time in the pool this summer. 

Overall, this trip was so far one of my favorite with my favorite people. The memories I made here will always stay in my most special place in heart :) 

Blessed to have friends, 

Minju