New Orleans 2014: Geaux Fish!

For this trip to New Orleans, we decided to divide and conquer. The boys went to the National WWII Museum - ships and medals and lots of reading. The girls opted for soft, squishy and even feathery things at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. I had been once before when the kids smaller and the hot July humidity felt like molasses. The breezy winter weather was a welcome change. Once inside the aquarium, the humidity returned, but this time it was just Kate and Mom to keep an eye on.
 

Sword fighting crustaceans, elaborate puffy fish and adorable hungry parakeets were some of our favorites. We also got to pet the stingrays. Pretty high on the "cool" meter. Couldn't leave without our tacky, touristy photo.

Tuckered out and hungry we met up at Jackson Square. The grounds surrounding St Louis Cathedral, the oldest Cathedral in North America, are a welcome haven from the spray painted human "statues" and break dancers lining the main road through town. 

For several weeks I had been obsessing about the Muffaletta sandwich*, originating at the Central Grocery. What are the chances... the moment we got in line, they ran out of the sandwiches. Luckily, there was an Italian restaurant a few doors down and Muffalettas were on the menu. The balcony was a bit chilly, but the views and the food was great. Nothing like dinner in the Big Easy.

*A traditional style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf split horizontally and covered with layers of marinated olive salad, mortadella, salami, mozzarella, ham, and provolone. 

 

So why, "geaux" fish? A French play on the word "go"... Derives from areas highly populated with Cajun Americans, Louisiana State University Tigers fans, or more commonly both. "G-e-a-u-x, Geaux Tigers, Geaux!" "Here we geaux Tigers, here we geaux!"

Yes. Visiting Southern Louisiana is really like going to another country: new language, new food, new customs. Laissez les bons temps rouler!