8.02.2011

49 by 29: June 30, part 2 - 8th ward, Cafe Du Monde, and jazz



Coffee:
Cafe Au Lait at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans.
This coffee is renowned for a reason! It is 1/2 hot coffee, 1/2 hot milk, and all goodness. During their civil war back in the 1700s, the French added chicory--the root of the lettuce-like plant, endive--to their coffee to soften its bitter edge and make it stretch when the coffee harvest was scarce. Cafe Du Monde continues this tradition with each cup of Cafe Au Lait. The roasted and ground chicory adds a mellow chocolate flavor to their coffee. Enjoy it with some sugar-dusted French beignets in a dimly lit outdoor cafe with a good friend, and Cafe Du Monde is practically coffee heaven!  

From the journal:
I am now writing from New Orleans. We arrived about 1:30 p.m. and did a driving tour.

Seeing the 8th Ward, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina five years ago now, was...sobering. Jeremy pointed out the black and red spray-painted symbols on the walls of the houses that indicated how many people had been found dead inside, what damage was found, and other sad tidbits.

I found it hard to think or say much of anything. They were such lingering, poignant reminders of tragedy.

On the other hand, in stark contrast to the dilapidated houses, it was good to see life carrying on as children played in a nearby schoolyard, people chatted on their porches, and bikes zipped past.

After the 8th Ward, we drove through the French Quarter. It felt like a vibrant foreign city. I LOVED it and can't wait to see more!

 8th Ward, New Orleans, Louisiana

 This is a house that Jeremy helped build with Samaritan's Purse when he went through New Orleans on his 50-state tour.


The Mississippi River in New Orleans.

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