New Orleans! The Nightlife.

New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America. So of course on our first night in New Orleans we went on a haunted tour through the French Quarter.  The tour we went on was more on the historical side, but it was still a little cheesy.  It was really fun though.  Here is our tour guide.

One of the buildings we learned was haunted is actually the oldest pharmacy in America.  It was built in the early 1800s and after the first owner passed away it was bought by Dr. Dupas.  It was said that he would do experiments on his costumers and especially slave pregnant women.  He even had a trap door where he would dump his bodies that lead into the ally where a wagon would be waiting to take them away.  Apparently his spirit is so negative that pregnant women who pass by get sick or shortness of breath.

This home actually belonged to Nicholas Cage.  One of the first days after Nicholas Cage bought the home he went on a haunted tour and they stopped at his house and Nicholas Cage said "this is my house!"  The tour guide said "I know."  Unbeknownst to Nicholas Cage he actually bought the most haunted house in New Orleans.  A socialite woman who lived here was a sociopath.  She loved to torture her slaves and mutilate the bodies.  She killed one servant girl for not doing her hair right.  When it was discovered what this woman was doing the lawman and townsfolk came after her and her husband.  They unfortunately escaped to France.

One night Nicholas Cage went to bed and felt someone come into bed with him.  He immediately got out of bed and the mattress raised up after him.  

After Nicholas Cage went on this tour he invited some ghost hunters into his house where they found lots of paranormal activity going on.  Needless to say Nicholas Cage would never spend the night at that house after that.  It is also rumored that whoever owns this house something tragic happens ie: Nicholas Cage went Bankrupt.  An oil tycoon owns it now and our tour gide made a side comment "for now"

 

So the highlight of our tour was when we stopped at the "vampire of New Orleans" Jacques St. Germain.  An aristocrat who loved the ladies.  One night a women jumped out of a window from the second story building onto the street.  She told the bystanders who tried to help her that St. Germain attacked her and tried to bite her.  She died later that night.  Once again St. Germain escaped, but police found bottles of wine filled with blood.  Apparently he liked to drink blood.  Hence the nickname of New Orleans Vampire.  As our tour guide was finishing his speech (he also made it know that this house was NOT haunted) a women appeared on the gallery (like a balcony) and asked if we would like a tour of her house!  Of course we did!  Our tour guide was ecstatic!  He was texting all his tour guide friends and taking lots of pictures.  He kept saying "this NEVER happens"

The grande staircase:

Back in the day you were taxed by how many doors you had so instead they turned windows into doors.  Here is a picture of us standing in the door/window to the gallery.

The house was of course gorgeous and is the owners vacation home.  Wish I could have a multi million dollar vacation home.  Although maybe minus the vampire history.

A look at St. Louis Cathedral at night.

New Orleans streets are lined with real gas lanterns throughout the city.  Its beautiful.

Of course we had to go on Bourbon Street.  One night we were even there while they where filming an episode of True Blood.  We waited to see the actors, but it was taking too long for whatever reason so we just left.

The first blacksmith turned into tavern.

and whats New Orleans without some Voodoo?

and we HAD to go to some Jazz Clubs.  You can't go to New Orleans without hearing some amazing Jazz.  We went to two clubs the Snug Harbor and Preservation Hall.   Snug Harber felt like your typical Jazz club.  A small private room with a few round tables and a stage.  It was really good, but sometimes I felt that the singers took over and you didn't get much of the band.  My favorite was Preservation Hall (Brad prefered Snug Harber).  It was in this super tiny room about the size of my living room.  No AC just fans, benches (just two rows), and the rest was just standing room only.  It was in this whole of the wall place, yet it was the BEST music!  The trumpet player was incredible!  It only lasted just 45 minutes and I loved every minute of it.

Unfortunately you're not allowed to take pictures of the band while playing (understably), but hopefully these pictures gives you a glimpse of what felt like.

It was a such fun, relaxing, celebratory trip, and like I said before a much needed break for Brad and I.  New Orleans is such a unique place.  They have their own culture, food, music, love for life, and are very resillant.  I'm definately a fan and am so grateful to Brad for graduating and taking me on this wonderful trip.