New Orleans,
Louisiana
New Orleans: The Big Easy
by Jorge F.
Vazquez
Our World Magazine - July / August 1999
I couldn't believe my good luck when
I received notification that I was a winner in "Our World Magazine's Tenth
Anniversary Contest." My award, one of ten tour and cruise giveaways, was an all expense paid luxury trip for two for
Halloween in New Orleans with DavidTours. I immediately
contacted owner David Rubin who, with his staff, took wonderful care
of everything. He worked with my travel agent, Lynne Hormick of
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, arranging the free round trip air to New
Orleans.
David advised us that the theme for the event this year was "Le Bal
Grotesque" and promised that we would receive the same deluxe
treatment received by all of his clients. David delivered on
his promise!
Joe, my partner, was more than happy to take the unexpected vacation,
and weeks before departure we were kept busy searching for festive,
imaginative costumes. We finally settled on a medieval minstrel
for Joe, and a realistic Captain Hook for me.
On Thursday, our plane touched down at New Orleans Airport, where we
were delightfully collected and whisked to our hotel by pre-arranged
stretch limousine. My travel agent had told us in advance of
the high quality of our hotel, The Dauphine Orleans, located right in
the French Quarter. On arrival we realized that Lynn had been
too cautious with her comments. The elegant Dauphine included
exceptional service and lots of 5-star extras.
Our award included airfare and hotel, plus tickets to three official
events, private luncheons at two posh restaurants, and a welcome
cocktail party attended by all of David's clients. The
Halloween celebrations are fundraisers for Project Lazarus, an
organization serving people with AIDS. David and a host of
other sponsors underwrite the costs of the spectacular parties, and
four days of open bar (only premium brand liquor, of course!)
After unpacking and catching our breath, we took a stroll along
Bourbon Street. The atmosphere was electric, and you could feel
everyone around you was intent on having a great time. We
stopped for drinks at Oz and The Parade, two bars that were
jam-packed with friendly locals and visitors.
On Friday afternoon we met our host and the group he was escorting:
friendly and fun men from all over North America, Holland, Germany,
and Brazil. For lunch, the assembled group walked to Arnaud's,
a French-Creole restaurant that is a tradition in the city. Our
superb meal included a presentation on the history of this New
Orleans landmark. Its owners are very active with the Mardi
Gras celebrations and even keep a small museum with some of the
fabulous fantasy costumes from the Balls of the 1930's and 40's.
Following our luncheon, we visited legendary Jackson Square where we
watched street performers and soaked up more of the Big Easy
spirit. In the evening we attended the Hippodrome party at the
Fairgrounds Race Course, a huge venue that got more crowded as the
night went on. DJ Neil Lewis was in charge of the music, and he
kept us dancing into the wee hours. Decorations included
impressive air sculptures and a display with Project Lazarus
memorabilia from previous years' celebrations.
The next morning we further explored the French Quarter, enjoying not
only the distinctive architecture, but also the wide variety of
street art displayed all around us by performers, dancers, psychics
and living statues. Saturday's luncheon was held at the
Commander's Palace, one of the city's finest, located in the Garden
District across from Lafayette Cemetery. The meal was
remarkable and the day was filled with surprises that were not listed
in any of David's original tour literature; namely, chauffeur driven
limousines provided our transfers to Commander's, a tour of uptown
New Orleans, and the return to our hotel. All accomplished in
great style! In all, nine limos were used to transport David's 80
clients and 10 local friends. The locals were interspersed at
various tables and in each car, affording a very personal
introduction to the city and its sights. To top it all off, we
were invited to their homes.
The tour of the Garden District included the opportunity to view the
magnificent mansions that make up this area. David's college
friend, Larry, who is a local attorney, owns a charming "Shotgun
House" and graciously invited us in to explain what the phrase means.
The name is derived from that fact that all rooms are built in
a row with no hall- ways, so if you shoot a gun at the front door,
the bullet reaches the back porch without obstacles. We were
certainly "blown away" by the quality being pro- vided during this
trip, especially David and his staff's personal, unpretentious, yet
lavish approach to travel. Every detail was perfectly
orchestrated. I almost forgot to mention, they even arranged
for our group to enjoy limousine service throughout the major events,
between the hotel and each party. This was not only luxurious
and convenient, but it also fostered friendship and unity among the
group.
In the early evening we napped, then had dinner at Remoulade on
Bourbon Street, walked to Cafe du Monde for chicory coffee and sugary
beignets, and proceeded to buy a copy of the latest novel by New
Orleans local Anne Rice. We also had the chance to catch early
sights of some of the impressive partygoers, all decked out in their
costumes and wending their way to events. Back at the hotel we
prepared our costumes, snapped photos, and joined the group. We
made our way to the weekend's main event - Le Bal Grotesque - held at
the Esplanade Wharf complex by the Mississippi River. It was as
if we were entering another world. No one was without costume;
there was perpetual music hosted by DJ Julian Marsh. The sound
and light show on stage was extraordinary by any measure, performers
marching, balancing on swings, and accomplishing gymnastics that
defied gravity.
As the night wore on, revelers began to strut on stage, which was
open to all, to show off their theme dress. There were
individualists as well as group costumes: genies, seven-foot demons,
blind Playboy bunnies, even a contingent of cowboys wrapped in the
Texas flag.
Around midnight the really big show began: The Na Lei Hulu / Ka Wekia
Hawaiian Dance Troupe. They electrified the masses with their
emotionally charged dances, the connection between the audience and
performers was incredible. This was the most amazing event I
have ever attended!
Sunday was a day for late risers. We attended a Gospel Brunch
at the Generations Hall complete with a buffet of jambalaya, gumbo,
and bread pudding with whiskey sauce, among many other selections.
The gospel group was excellent, revving up the audience as if
the audience itself was a musical instrument. Then, to our
surprise, our now-beloved Hawaiian dancers arrived, this time paying
tribute to the South with period costumes and choreography that
brought the house down.
The brunch was a finale to our celebration. Winning this trip
provided us the opportunity to experience a Halloween so special it
was indeed unparalleled. David's attention to detail certainly
enhanced this event and gave us the chance to meet some terrific
people. Winning this prize, thanks to our reading Our World,
has underscored for us the wonderful world of travel possibilities
for our community.
Editor's Note: We have been advised that Jorge and Joe, along with
some friends, have made reservations with DavidTours to revisit New
Orleans for Halloween XVI in 1999. Congratulations David, and
many thanks Jorge and Joe!
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