It was our second year wedding anniversary and we chose to go to New Orleans, Louisiana.  Since our honeymoon was in Paris and we went to Quebec for our one year anniversary, I thought this would be in keeping with my love of visiting French places.  My mother-in-law joked by the next year we’d be in Paris, Texas.  Little did I know, no one knows any French in New Orleans; the one exception of course being the infamous phrase, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).  But there are wonderful reminders of France all over the city, from Chartres street to the ever-present fleur-de-lis, and St. Louis to Orleans itself named after the Duke of Orleans.  He reigned as Regent for Louis XV from 1715 to 1723 and the city was “established” by French colonists who strongly influenced it by their culture.  During the American Revolutionary War New Orleans was an important port for smuggling aid to the rebels and for transporting military equipment and supplies up the Mississippi River.  Napoleon sold Louisiana (New France) to the United States in 1803.  As a native Texan who grew up under the “Six Flags of Texas” it was always something of a bragging right.  Imagine my complete surprise to discover Louisiana has flown under ELEVEN flags as well as having been an independent nation like Texas!  I was as fascinated as I was impressed by their lack of un-Texan braggadocio.  My folks went to New Orleans on their honeymoon so that also made it special for me.  Usually we are pretty intense and frankly do not relax enough on trips.  Burk and I were staying at the Hotel Monteleone which was established in 1866.  It boasts the famous Carousel Bar, which actually revolves and is covered with lights and painted just like a traditional carousel.  One can see the famed Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter from behind a huge set of windows as the bar slowly rotates.  After settling in we strolled just steps down to the Mississippi River where we took a steamboat dinner cruise.  Confession:  I am allergic to seafood and I detest that “ya da da da da” type jazz.  That’s pretty much what I associated with New Orleans before this other than booze.  We sat outside the historic boat on the old, white wooden top deck savoring drinks while a live jazz band played.  They were really good and it was a sultry evening with a light breeze coming off the water.  For once we were not rushed and I was happy and relaxed sitting there next to my handsome husband.  It was one of the most memorable evenings of my life.  The food was great (plenty for a vegetarian), then afterward we got to tour the steamship which was fascinating.  And that was all we did our first day!  We simply slowed down and enjoyed life in the moment.  American author Mandy Hale said, “You will get there when you are meant to get there and not one moment sooner … so relax, breathe, and be patient.”  Our trip up and down the river was pleasingly slow and we were able to actually see the scenery as we were passing by.  The steam rose high above us while the water churned the big red paddle wheel below us and the night sky began to glisten with stars.  This trip would hold a lot of pleasant surprises for me.  But the Big Easy forced me to take it easy in order for me to discover them.