Day Three

Tour, Tour, and More Tours.

Outer Journey:

Today was a beautiful day! We spent time at the Old Ursuline Convent, St. Louis Cathedral, and on a cuisine tour.

The Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in Mississippi Valley which was built in 1745…how amazing that the building is over 250 years old.  We learned that one of the devastating fires of New Orleans had gotten to the building right next to the convent, but they put a statue in the window facing the fire, and at the last minute the winds shifted and the convent was spared.  I was so impressed with the alter, but was even more in awe of this host holder (I don’t remember the correct name and couldn’t find it).  It was made out of gold and silver, diamonds and precious jewels…and was absolutely gorgeous!

My least favorite tour today was the St. Louis Cathedral.  I think this was because most of the information our tour guide went over, we had just recently talked about at the Old Ursuline Convent.  Also, I had assumed that the alter when have been more elaborate than the convent’s but I didn’t think it was that grand.

The last tour and my favorite was the cuisine tour.  We got to sample five different cuisines: 

Tujague’s- Beef Brisket Po Boy with Creole Horseradish Sauce

This reminded me of the Italian Beef that we make at home.  The main difference was the Creole Horseradish Sauce that added a little spice to the tender meet, but the flavor was amazing.  We only had a slice of the Po Boy, but I could have easily eaten a whole sandwich!!

Creole Delicacies- Red Beans and Rice…and as an added bonus we got to try “Party in your mouth” dip

I was unsure if I was going to like the Red Beans and Rice, honestly I figured it was going to be kind of bland but in fact it was layers with flavor.  I without even realizing inhaled the sample within seconds.  If that wasn’t good enough, the dip we got to try was ah-mazing!  I will be going back to the store on my free day to get the season mix for the “Party in your mouth” dip to take back home and devour.  

Antonine’s- Seafood Gumbo

OOoh do I like gumbo! The seafood gumbo did not disappoint. There was shrimp, blue crab, and oysters.  I love seafood, and having it put into gumbo was one of the best decisions ever made!

Leah’s Pralines- Praline

WOAH! Talk about a sugar rush!  Pralines were delicious but a cavity waiting to happen.  I don’t know how someone could eat the whole thing in one sitting, but it was delicious.  We also got to sample Bacon Pecan Brittle.  I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not, but why not give it a try.  It again  was extremely sweet but delicious.  I like to take a small bit once or twice a day, but don’t think I could handle eating more than that.

Arnaud’s- Shrimp Remoulade and Turtle Soup

Turtle soup?  Yeah I know, but it was delicious.  In fact, it reminded me of chili.  I thought the Shrimp Remoulade was good, but I am not a big fan of cold shrimp so it was probably my least favorite dish of the cuisine tour.

After our tours were completed I spent some time in the hotel with my roommates and went out to Bourbon Street, and man was it crazy out the on a Friday night!

Inner Journey:

The sun was out, the birds were chirping (well actually they were eating food off the sidewalks), and I was ready to go.  It has been the nicest day so far weather-wise.  We had a day full of tours that did not disappoint.

The Old Ursuline Convent was my favorite between the convent and cathedral tour.  As a Catholic I was really moved by the details of the Ursuline Convent Alter.  It was simply breathtaking.  It was surreal being in a place full of so much history.  One thing I was disappointed about was that it has since been renovated and that the nuns dorms were no longer there.  Too be honest I wanted to see if they resembled the ones on Sister Act.

After the Old Ursuline Convent we went on a tour to St. Louis Cathedral.  The Cathedral is gorgeous from the outside.  I was disappointed in the alter compared to the Old Ursuline Convent’s alter.  One thing that was shocking to me and really put into perspective how important religion is in the South compared to where I am from is that Bishops are buried beneath the Cathedral, and the person who paid to have it rebuilt.  I know this is so they will always be with the church, but in a way I feel that it is slightly disrespectful that people are just constantly walking on them.  But, I guess this is considered a great honor.

I think the tour that spoke the most to me was the cuisine tour.  I think the food in New Orleans tells a story of the different cultures that came here.  The food became a melting pot of the cultures as each culture was able to bring something. While trying the foods I felt closer to the culture in New Orleans.  I started to understand Creole cooking and why it is so important to New Orleans.  It was a great experience to be a part of, and I will remember the taste of the food for years to come.  I can’t wait to go home and rub it in my family’s face about all the delicious foods I got to try on my trip.