Day 2 French Market & Jackson Square

Decided this morning that we would take a tour of the Upper and Lower French Quarters.  We walked through the Upper first. As we walked we stopped at several shops looking for some souvenirs I wanted to buy. Along the way, we went saw a bike that was locked to a pole but both wheels were missing.  Guess even locking your bike up doesn't prevent it from being vandalized.

Decided to venture over to where the Steamboat Natchez is sitting on the Mississippi River, taking visitors on tours up and down the river.

  The steamboat was docked and waiting for all the tourists to board for another boat tour.  The Natchez is a beautiful steamboat powered by a big paddle wheel. The boat was also decorated with lots of Christmas decorations, oh what a beauty. We walked up on the banks of the river and sat and watched the barges and boats go upstream.

 We walked till we reached the lower French quarters so we could eat breakfast at a historic landmark called Cafe Du Monde.

 This place is famous for sugar-coated beignets, which are a square French doughnut.  The doughnuts are served with their café au lait or the famous chicory-flavored version, iced coffee, or a big glass of milk.

 This coffee house is 100 years old.  We stood in a line for about 30 minutes waiting to get a seat.

 As we stood in line, there were a couple of clowns who made balloon figures for the children.

 Also, a street musician was playing a guitar and singing, so it was not boring waiting in line. We finally got inside where you sit.

 A waiter cleaned off the table we found to sit down at and took our order.

 Our order was 3 beignets a piece and 2 cups of their awesome café au laits.   Our order was brought quickly, and once I sank my teeth into those hot beignets, it didn't take me long to eat them. YUMMY, so delicious.

 After we finished eating, we needed to get up and walk some of this breakfast off.
We walked back and started through the upper French quarters to see all the history.  Walked first to Jackson Square.  Along the wrought iron fence around the park that houses the statue of General Andrew Jackson, many artists display their works.

 A lot of street musicians played in front of the St. Louis Cathedral.

 Marlon and I walked through the Cathedral and were impressed with the architecture inside the church.

  When we finished with our self-guided tour and went back out on Chartres St., the street was becoming crowded with people watching the street musicians.  Also, there were several tables set up where the physicists were sitting, wanting to tell their fortune. 

 Marlon and I walked through the park that housed the statue of General Andrew Jackson. The park had lots of roses throughout the park.

 Walked over to the French Market and walked down through the center.

 There was lots of food, souvenirs, and a farmers' market.  Marlon and I bought a Bloody Mary, which was very spicy and strongly tasting.  I could not drink mine, but Marlon could. 

 I did buy myself a mask with feathers for New Year's Eve. ;-) 
 I ended up giving my drink to Marlon, and he bought me a coconut drink, which I loved and drank pretty quickly LOL

Walked back towards our hotel, we were tired and needed a break before going out that evening.  Along the way, we stopped at a place, and I got another drink. YUMMO

needed

 This statue, I found this interesting, it was totally painted GOLD. It's Joan of Arc, whom they call Joane, riding her pony....

 I really enjoyed taking photos of the architecture of the homes around New Orleans.

Went back to the hotel, rested, and went out in the evening and walked around New Orleans, and ended up finding a place called Storyville to eat dinner.

Loved all the Christmas lights walking back to the hotel.