The Trip They Call the City of New Orleans

D1 has a friend from UF named Lauren, and she's long been one of our favorites. In 2009, when D1 was living with Lauren, and another Lauren, she broke her hand in a car wreck, and Wifey went to live with D1 to help her get around for a few weeks. Wifey grew very close to Lauren during that trip. I'm convinced we seek those in life we were either denied or went missing. I've always enjoyed spending time with men of my Dad's generation or close to it, since I lost Dad in 1982. For this reason, I thoroughly enjoy my time with my friend Norman's Dad Max, and my friend Mike's father Ed was my mentor as a lawyer. Lauren's Mom took off when she was a baby, leaving her Dad Rich to raise her and her sister. I think this is why she bonded so much with Wifey. In any event, after she graduated, she moved to Philly to get a MS, and a few years ago met Michael. They decided to wed in New Orleans last weekend, and we received an invite, along with D1 and her boyfriend Joey. So off we went, after a great sendoff from my friend Steve the cop, who works at MIA, and came by in a golf cart with his brother Alan, who was off to Mobile. We checked into our Quarter hotel, and walked around a bit. I ended up at the Desire Oyster Bar, at the Royal Sonesta, and ate some of the best oysters ever, along with three Titos martinis. D1 and Joey joined me, as we watched the Canes in their Sweet 16 game, which turned sour as Villanova knocked them out of the tournament. Still, we had more eating to do, and we walked next door to R'volution, for what turned out to be a Top 5 meal of all time. They were sold out, but had a cancellation at the Chef's table -- would we want it? We would. Joey and I shared a 90 oz hangar steak, while Wifey and D1 shared a "visiting fish." The food was exquisite, and the service likewise. We had an awesome time. We walked, or waddled, down to the River, for beignets and chickoree coffee at Cafe Dumond -- packed as always, even at 11 pm. This was D1 and Joey's first time in NOLA, so we had some required stops to make. Friday D1 was busy helping with pre wedding drama, so Wifey, Joey, and I walked to the National WW II Museum -- tremendous. We spent 5 hours there, and barely scratched the surface. Since my Dad was a WWII vet, that has always been my favorite part of US history, and the museum tells the story from many faceted viewpoints. We shared a Po Boy sandwich at the Canteen there, with a hostess dressed like an Andrews Sister, and then ubered back to the hotel, where we returned to Desire Oysters for a plate of shellfish. You eat a LOT in NOLA. We then went to the wedding, which was to start at 5:30. We arrived at 5:35, and were LATE -- the service had begun, in a cool warehouse setting, conducted by a life coach Lauren had met. There was no religion to the ceremony -- Michael was raised Irish Catholic, and Lauren Jewish -- but at the end, without explanation, Michael broke a glass, and half the guests shouted Mazel Tov. The Philly Catholics wondered what the hell had happened... And then a first...a Dixieland Jazz band appeared, and led us all outside on a parade -- with a police escort. We waved white flags, and it was awesome. We circled the block, in gorgeous weather, with bright, afternoon sun. It struck me, as it had before, that NOLA is my kind of town -- I could certainly live there, with its great food, architecture, art, and seamy sided partying. But, alas, there are no football Hurricanes, nor my brothers and sisters of other mothers, so Miami will remain for me. The wedding was one of the most fun ever. The party band was a Zydeco outfit, though all white, and the singer was an Italian PHilly girl transplanted to NOLA. She LOVE having her homies as guests, and all danced, and drank heavily. I had a nice time catching up with D1's friends from UF days, and being amazed that these girls all started college 10 years ago! We met Lauren's Dad's best friends, and learned he was a Southern Jew -- from Gastonia, NC. I told him my Dad's best childhood friend had moved there after WW II, and married a local girl. Well, Mark knew Harry well -- their families were close, and we marveled at the cool game of Jewish geography. Wifey said I danced as much as she's ever seen me dance at a wedding. I complemented the band -- I told the leader they were the best all white band ever. The leader laughed heartily. Saturday we woke up late, ran into the groom's parents at breakfast, and confirmed what I had thought: Lauren has truly found her mother. Her new mother in law LOVES her -- Lauren and Michael bought a house 4 doors down in South Jersey. I joked that if the marriage ended, Michael's mother would keep Lauren. I know I'm right. Joey, D1, Wifey and I walked to the Mississippi, and saw the City's Holocaust Memorial. We then decided to really play tourist, and went to the Aquarium. It was lovely -- otters, and penguins, and a neat exhibit about what lives in the Mississippi, under the paddle wheel boats and John Fogarty... We walked to the Butcher for lunch -- a famous sandwich place, and I had a muffalletta, along the the Po Boy, the signature NOLA samich. We then ubered back to the hotel and all enjoyed serious naps. We had all eaten so much, that was it. Ha! As if! Uber came, in the form of the jocular Lionel, and he took us to the Garden District, where we walked on Magazine Street, and then the awesome mansions of the District. And then there was the Last Meal, in Commanders Palace. It was awesome as always -- scallops, martinis, fresh tuna, and bread pudding and strawberry shortcake for dessert. We had an absurdly early (6 am) flight home, and slept a few hours and then met Lionel, who asked to drive us to Louis Armstrong. Sure enough, he was there at 0400 hours, and drove us there. I told him my friend Steve the Cop would be in NOLA soon, and I would give him Lionel's number. Lionel was happy -- he's supporting a bunch of kids, and a wife... At the airport, the gate agent called my name. I figured my first time ever using my phone instead of a paper boarding pass had gone awry, but instead the fellow, Michael, asked if D1 and Wifey and I would consider moving to separate seats -- a young Mom with her 2 kids wished to sit together. Of course -- I told the agent I had my little girl with me, bus since she was 27, she could stand a 2 hour flight by herself -- a booking error had left Joey by himself anyway. Michael was appreciative, as was the Mom, whose adorable son,about 4, was dressed up for Easter, in a spiffy suit. I asked Michael if we could board together, since I'm the only one with Priority boarding, and these days you want to be on the plane fast, lest the overhead bins be too full, and you have to check your carry on. Michael said to wait -- he had a BETTER deal, and then upgraded us to First Class! D1 offered Joey her spot, but being the consummate gentleman, he laughed. I offered Joey too, but D1 reminded me I look like Shrek in a coach seat. It was a fitting end to a magical four day weekend in NOLA. So congratulations to the happy couple! And we thank them for giving us the privilege of an invite to their delightful celebration.