Sweet Home, Iowa

Our last day in New Orleans was a bit more slow paced than the previous days had been, which we were just fine with. After sleeping in until (gasp) 9am we hung around the McCall home with Grant (and the dogs) before he had to dash off to teach, and then set out to find a nice lunch spot.
We ended up at a local joint and enjoyed fried catfish, mushroom bisque, a shrimp-type salad, and greens. Low key but delicious. The restaurant happened to have a copy of "Edible New Orleans", and on the cover was a picture of the most delicious-looking morsels we had ever seen.

After reading inside we found out that these friend bits of heaven are called "Buttermilk drops" and are the brain child of a local man who has worked in bakeries since he was a teenager.

He acquired his own bakery after the flood and people have been flocking there ever since. In addition to the buttermilk drops he makes donuts as well as a daily changing lunch menu featuring "soul food." Deep in the heart of the 7th ward, people of all backgrounds were speeding up to the doors to grab their buttermilk drops.

We decided to be nice house guests and purchased an extra dozen for ours hosts. Buttermilk drops in hand, we decided to go to the Audubon park across the street from Tulane's campus to enjoy them. It was a chilly 46 degrees that day, and yet the park was still crowded with school aged children, people walking, running, or just strolling about munching pastries (that would be us).

It was a gorgeous day, and even the ducks agreed.

Following our stroll around the park we checked out Tulane's campus, which was absolutely gorgeous.

A beautiful campus yes, but it IS still New Orleans. (Those are beads on a tree).

Alex and Grant then put on a knapping demonstration for some of the students while I worked on a knitting project. Following that we went to a local bar, then to dinner with a group of anthropologists. All in all a good evening. Our 5am wake up was a bit harsh, but we made it back that evening to our two awful, wonderful cats. I was vetoed (3-1) on the dog idea, but am happy with my two kitties and husband.
Up next? A few phone interviews before my last and FINAL interview (#15) on FRIDAY!! WOOHOO!!
PS: If you're wondering what happened to the buttermilk drops, here is a detailed account of when they were eaten.
Friday 1/21/11-1pm: 2/12 consumed at Audubon park
Saturday 1/21/11-5:30am 4/12 consumed in the car in New Orleans
Saturday 1/21/11-10am 2/12 consumed in car in Mississippi
Saturday 1/21/11-1pm 2/12 consumed in car in Tennessee
Saturday 1/21/11-4pm 1/12 consumed in car in Missouri
Saturday 1/21/11-5pm last one consumed while crossing into Iowa just so we could say we made it back with buttermilk drops still left.

Biloxi Mississippi

4am came awfully early this morning if our impromptu nap in the parking lot of a Winn-Dixie was any indication. It was a well-deserved nap after all, and since we had 45 minutes to kill until my interview, we reclined our seats, closed our eyes as the sun poured through the car windows, and dozed off.
The town of Biloxi, about 90 minutes from New Orleans is rather small, but the VA in the area is fabulous. They, like the New Orleans site, are still dealing with many losses including the complete destruction of the main hospital on the gulf coast. They're currently in the process of building new facilities, and what I saw today was quite impressive.
Following my interview Alex and I decided to visit a local beach. Even though the pictures look rather "gray", it was a lovely 60 degrees outside.

Following our trip to the beach we decided to visit Jacques Imos, a restaurant highly recommended by our friends Grant and Sarah.
They were attending a Tulane function this evening, so Alex and I decided to give it a try. 45 totally-worth-it-minutes later, we had the meal of a life time.
First, since the waiter found out it was our first time, we got a free Shrimp and Alligator Cheesecake appetizer. AMAZING.

We were then given amazing garlic-cornbread-muffin thingies that were pure gold in addition to a nice spinach salad with a fried oyster on top. Perfect.

For our entrees I had blackened red fish (smothered in tasso hollandaise) with red beans and rice and greens. Awesome awesome.

Alex had a filet steak stuffed with oysters covered with caramel onions, tasso hollandaise, and blue cheese...and his beets and greens

As we were wiping our plates clean the chef and owner came out to the floor to greet folks. We got to talking and we learned that he was a veteran. When he heard I was in town interviewing at the VA he immediately told me New Orleans needed me and insisted on giving us free dessert!
Alex and I waddled back to Grant and Sarah's house tonight and were greeted by their two adorable dogs. Grant and Sarah are still at their Tulane function, so we're entertaining the dogs.

The 4 of us (me, Alex, Liza and Beloo) are laying on the bed digesting, looking forward to one last day in New Orleans tomorrow.

Interview and Swamp!

Tuesday was my interview at the New Orleans Veterans Hospital. The day began with an explanation of the site, which included a discussion of the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the veterans hospital, most notably that the hospital was destroyed during the flooding that overwhelmed the city. As a result, the clinic is now housed in a small building in downtown New Orleans. In addition to the impact of the flooding on the physical property of the VA, was the impact on the staff that work there. Many of the psychologists left New Orleans, never to return leaving the facility under-staffed. Other obstacles, such as a lack of neuropsych testing kits as a result of the flooding were also created for this VA. Despite these obstacles, the individuals who work there remain committed and optimistic, and the pride they have for their city is clearly evident.
So...while I was learning about the VA, Alex was left to entertain himself in the city. It came as no surprise then, when I received a e-mail with the following picture:

This is, if you can't tell, is a picture of my dear husband wearing a bib in preparation for his seafood lunch. Being the sweet man that he is however, immediately following my interview, he whisked me off to the same spot so that I could enjoy a taste of what he had (in addition to some other fun items). 

Following our mini shrimp-fest we continued to walk around the French Quarter, stopping in to local art galleries and antique shops. It was an absolutely gorgeous day-65 degrees, sun shining brightly, and Alex and I were wearing t-shirts! I even found my soul mate, an older woman working on a loom making hand crafted items who had -7- cats!! They were all adorable, and I must admit, I pet each and every one! 

Shortly thereafter it began raining and we found ourselves running through the streets before ducking into our favorite place, the Gumbo Shop, for dinner. Mid-way through our red beans and rice it quit raining and we made our way down to Bourbon street again for the evening. 

This morning we checked out of our hotel and slowly made our way further east to enjoy a swamp tour. On the way however, we stopped by a highly recommended seafood joint for one of the best meals of the trip so far. A fried shrimp and fried oyster poboy!

Feeling sufficiently full we arrived at the destination for the swamp tour, which turned out to be a beautiful wildlife preserve. The sun was shining, it was nearly 70 degrees, and we enjoyed just strolling around the park in anticipation of our boat ride. 

Hanging Spanish Moss

Though we didn't see any gators, we had a wonderful time on the boat

Saw a LOT of the swamp area, which was absolutely breathtaking

We also saw a lot of crazy creatures including turtles

An Osprey

A raccoon

The impact of Katrina

Oh, and I guess we DID see an alligator

King of the Road

At 5:15 am on Sunday morning Alex and I hit the road for New Orleans.  With a 15-hour drive ahead of us, we decided to make the trip a little more enjoyable by stopping by Graceland. (The original radio version of "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" on c.d. also helped). Chanting “Graceland or Bust” we made amazing time, pulling in to Memphis, Tennessee at 12:55pm.

We bought our tickets and first toured through the Graceland Mansion on a wonderful audio guided tour. 

Just as interesting as the Elvis memorabilia was the fact that the house had been permanently frozen in the 70’s. While in the house we saw the living room

the dining room, 

the room where Elvis’ parents lived (completed with poodle wallpaper), 

the basement t.v. room, 

the pool table room, 

and the infamous Jungle Room.

Other highlights included the hallway of gold records, 

the “racquetball” court, 

the museum of Elvis Presley owned cars (which Alex drooled over) 

and a tour of Elvis’ private jets that included golden sinks and seatbelts. 

We were also able to see all of the most famous costumes Elvis wore while performing, and while Alex disagrees, I think he would look quite fetching in any number of the rhinestone studded suits previously worn by the King.

Following our trip around Graceland we resumed our trip to New Orleans at 2:30. At around 8pm (after an hour and a half long dinner at the Cracker Barrell) we decided we’d spend the night at a cheap motel along the side of the road. At $39/night we thought we were getting a great bargain. The sign indicating that "no refunds are issued after the first 10 minutes in a room" should have been a major tip off. This was easily the filthiest room either of us has ever set foot in. After a couple minutes of inspecting, Alex declared that we were leaving. After returning the toilet paper (yes, they “checked out” toilet paper to us) we left and decided to drive on straight through to New Orleans. (Though we both felt "itchy" for the next hour). 

Even though we pulled in at 10pm and were absolutely exhausted, we still thought it necessary to see what the city had to offer us. Our hotel, located 2 blocks from Bourbon street easily facilitated our little jaunt.

Alex found Bourbon street entertaining...

 and after a traditional Hurricane drink...

that was WAY too strong.... 

we settled in at a great little bar with an amazing jazz band that played all night.

This morning we began our day with Beignets from Café Dumond. 

After getting harassed by a would-be shoe-shinner that squirted Alex's shoes with some substance out of nowhere, insisting he get paid to rub it off, we strolled around the city stopping in to little shops. We both instantly fell in love with a painting and decided that it had to be purchased. Thankfully, I just had my birthday and Grammy, Grandma and Grandpa and David and Barry purchased the painting for me! (Thanks for the $$!!) I’m sure you’ll agree that this is an awesome painting that clearly belongs in the home of Alex and Tamara. 

For lunch we strolled over to the Gumbo Shop for amazing Creole fair including gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice and shrimp creole.

That afternoon involved more walking, including a trip to Mardi Gras World to see previous floats 

and the French Market to sample southern Pralines.

For dinner we had amazing southern comfort food. Lots of pork, etc., etc., etc. 

Now to slip into a food induced coma... ugh. Tomorrow, interview number 11? Yes..interview number 11.