Due to unforeseen events, Sharaya and I ended up spending a full day exploring the glorious city of New Orleans. Because we are who we are, we went full glam. There's truly no other explanation other than "we were together".

One of the most important things about travelling with people is making sure you travel the same. Some people are up bright early to head to the beach and tan, or check off one of the ten tourist spots they have on the itinerary. I am very much a "get out in time for brunch and probably take a bath around 7PM" kind of traveler. Thank goodness my sister is too. So needless to say, we strolled. We walked from one end of Bourbon Street to the other. Walked the Garden district and all along the Riverwalk.





On our travels we happened upon a black cat, a house in full Halloween regalia (there was a soundtrack), and a tarot card reader. I sat back and watched Sharaya  get her cards read. As the reader went through every card and explained their meaning and relation to Sharaya's life, I realized it all related to me perfectly. Sadly Sharaya didn't get much out it. When the reading was over we were given cards with instructions to go to a jazz club on Bourbon Street. We were to find an employee and give them a secret message. Upon this exchange, the woman unlocked a large wooden door in the middle of the club, sent us up the stairs, and hastily locked the door behind us.





We found ourselves in a small hideaway above the chaos of Bourbon Street the Saturday before Halloween. We were given drinks made by a small British witch - the vodka was blood red, and the drinks were strong. We were serenaded by Sinatra while we lounged on velvet.



After a short reprieve, we ventured to the private balcony and admired the crowds. Men dressed in drag, women dressed as woodland creatures, and everything in between filled the landscape. The rhythms of pop, house music, and smooth jazz spilled out into the street with patrons crossing between clubs and bars and restaurants. And by 9PM, when the chaos reached new heights and the party crowd started rising from their slumbers, we were in bed watching the Kardashian's and eating chocolate. It was a magical day indeed.