Last Day in NOLA: Museums, Booze, AND EATING BUGS AUUGHHKJDHFSKDGJ

Michelle and I were HAVIN' A DAY. Stoof and her friends were out and about shopping, so Michelle and I checked out some vintage boutiques in the Quarter. Then we planned to head over to the Insectarium, since we still had those free tickets from the Zoo and Aquarium discount. But on the way we saw this:

GAH. What kind of horrors and wonders could a historical french pharmacy have??? I'm so intrigued!

Turns out, it was an actual old pharmacy. They had hundreds of tonics and machines that had been used in New Orleans in the nineteenth century.

One of the first soda fountains!

It was very informative. Each area had a detailed description of what particular ingredients, medicines, and drugs did to the human body.

I kinda wanted to try some of them... see what would happen to me if I took two hundred year old fish oil tonic.

My favorite part was the plague section. In the nineteenth century New Orleans was constantly fighting off various epidemics. What made it worse was that the health officials were part of the upper class, and it was customary for the elite to vacation outside the city during the summers, when the illnesses were at their worse. So a TON OF PEOPLE died because THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND TO HELP. The people in charge just... walked away to go vacation somewhere.... .... BAHAHA.

They even showed us this bed where someone gave birth! Things were a bit different back then.

If I were giving birth in my bed I would need WAY more pillows and WAY more wine!

All that medicine business made us thirsty and hungry. So we went back down to the French Market. They had a To-Go stand for Bloody Mary's!

Yuuuummmm.

And of course I had to get a muffuletta again. I just, ugh, I could eat that every day of my LIFE.

And I'd STILL be super skinny! Right?

From the market we ventured over to Canal st. to get to the Insectarium. Right as we entered, we knew we were in for a very interesting experience. 

Bugs, bugs, and MORE BUGS!

Yeah. I guess I should have expected that from the name, huh. I just... wasn't prepared for the sheer volume of insects... everywhere....

Like this guy had spiders and scorpions for us to play with!

They had a large variety of insects. But since I hate bugs, I was on edge the entire time.

ESPECIALLY IN THIS CAVE WHERE THEY HAD MASSIVE BUGS JUMP OUT AT YOU.

Then in a cafe we noticed that we could EAT some bugs!

At least she eats it like a lady, right?

They had roasted bugs in a bunch of different sauces.

Like waxworms with cinnamon sugar... mmmm

Even though I hate bugs and always will, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I had to try it. I just had to. The adventurous side of me took over.

It was roasted... something... in a sour cream sauce. The sauce was fine, and you couldn't really taste any bugs... until you felt the crunch in between your teeth. It was more of a psychological issue than anything else.

From the Horror Cafe, we went into the Butterfly Garden. I like butterflies! They're nice and friendly and won't terrorize me, right?

Look it's even in a nice, calm, Japanese garden!

Yeahhhh, this is nice. This is fine. A calm pool with fish... a garden... little houses...

Nothing could possibly be weird here.

UNTIL YOU SAW THE ACTUAL BUTTERFLIES. I kid you not, some of them were the size of BIRDS. One landed on me, and my god, it was like the size of a pigeon. YOU COULD HEAR THEIR WINGS FLAPPING THROUGH THE AIR. 

The black one lower down is the size of a regular butterfly. THE ONE ON THE WALL IS NOT. Those two butterflies were only about a foot apart, and the BIGGER ONE IS BEHIND THE OTHER ONE.

After being terrorized at the Insectarium and Butterfly Garden, we rushed on to Magazine Street to see if we could get to the World War II museum before it closed. It was a bit of a walk, but we got there perfectly on time. We got tickets to the museum itself and the 4D theater (I'll explain about that later). I loved coming in and seeing the huge planes hanging from the ceiling.

When you climbed the stairs it was so hard not to jump on to the wing and climb inside and take off!

The cockpit was RIGHT there. RIGHT THERE! Like.. RIIIGHT THERE....

Why won't they let me flyyyy ittttt??

We boarded the train, which was the introduction to the museum.

Getting on a train to go back in time.

The interior felt so authentic! Well... except for the TVs in each row... I'm assuming they didn't have that back then.

It's like Jet Blue for time travelers!

Right away, I knew this was a spectacular museum. They focused on the lives of every day Americans and their journeys through this tumultuous time. 

This place had exhibit after exhibit of cool stuff. It delved deep into every detail of the war.

One of my favorite exhibits was on the Japanese Internment camps. It had personal accounts, hundreds of photos, movies, and artifacts. 

Their displays were impressively interactive.

They had MODELS TOO!!

Not super models but real models. Of the D-Day Invasion.

I seriously recommend this museum. Even if you're not a history buff, GO. You have to. I've been to museums all over the world and I have to say this was one of the best I've ever been to. Hands down. After going through the museum for HOURS, it was time for the 4D Theater! 

You guys, it was amazing. It followed the story of WWII from beginning to end, which may sound boring, BUT IT SUCKED YOU IN. It had snow falling in the theater, wind, and vibrations. Props and set pieces would swing down and around. The sound system made you feel like you were really there. When they got to the Atomic Bomb, THEY ACTUALLY BLINDED US FOR LIKE FIVE SECONDS. It was AWESOME. YOU HAVE TO GO.

After the museum, we went to Nathan's bar, met up with Stoof and her friends, then went off to dinner. We found this cool dive bar on Decatur. It took a while to get in, but once the food came IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT. LOOK AT THIS PILE OF FRIED SEAFOOD GOODNESS.

Crab, crawfish, oysters, fish, clams, SCRAMPS, fries... HOW COULD ONE GO WRONG??

That, THAT RIGHT THERE, was our final meal in New Orleans. I reckon' it was a fitting end to an amazing vacation! Sorry all, but I gotta give a shout out to Nathan, for being amazing and for being our personal tour guide when he TOTALLY didn't have to be. He has the patience of a saint. I don't know WHAT we would've done without him. Also I have to give Nicole, Kyle, Zoe, and Bobby a shout out too for making me feel like a rock star! What makes traveling so much fun is good friends, good food, and LOTS OF DRANK. Thankfully, I got all of the above.

New Orleans is an incredible city. The cultural heritage is so rich and unique. It is unlike any other city in the world. I can't wait to go back!

My Birthday Day: Farewell to Friends, Free Champagne & Food, AND New Orleans Burlesque!

Guys, I was ROCKING it. I don't know how, but this was another day after heavy drinking with NO HANGOVER. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?? I did make the mistake of leaving my camera with Nicole and Kyle, who took it upon themselves to take inane/artistically brilliant photos in the morning.

Here's a pillow...

I should probably stop asking them to hold it for me.

This is their air conditioner.

Vanna White showcasing the blinds.

What a nice outlet!

That's... that's a thing all right... sure is... the most thing I've ever seen.

Really?

Zoe sleeping... ... ... Why isn't she on the pillows?

Great. A Gatorade bottle. Perfection.

ANYWAY, Nicole, Kyle, Zoe, and Bobby were all heading back to New York in a few hours, so we had to cram as much crap in as we could. We kept hearing from Nathan about the incredible antique shops, so we decided to take a cab down to the Quarter and check them out.

This place had priceless coins and weapons from every era of history. Well... not priceless, because they were for sale... and had a price...

AND THIS PLACE HAD MORE WEAPONS.

I LOVE ME SOME WEAPONS. You know, just to like, scare my enemies... not actually DO anything of course but you know just, wag it around and make 'em feel bad and stuff.

As we continued walking around to all the shops, I realized I hadn't taken many photos of the streets of the French Quarter. SO I TOOK SOME.

At times it felt like you were in a different country.

Then sometimes we'd walk down the street and there would be some people dancing and playing jazz like it ain't no thang...

Then we found this breathtaking antique store that had room after room of incredible stuff. Diamond rings, chandeliers, suits of armor, furniture, archaeological artifacts... objects one should find in a museum were all on sale here, for a pretty penny, of course. I didn't see many things that were below $50,000.

They also didn't allow photography inside. I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A NAPOLEONIC DUCK PRESS!

From there we started walking towards the French Market.

I liked how I could walk in the middle of the street without getting hit.

It was a beautiful day, and all the french style balconies were so charming!

So cute I could throw up!

Then I saw this gelato place and had an intense craving. They had Creme Brulee gelato with pieces of candied sugar in it!!

Blurry photo aside, IT WAS SO FREAKIN' GOOD.

Who knows why I got gelato before lunch. But I'm an adult and I can do what I want! Okay, Mom?? From there we walked to Central Grocery to try the ORIGINAL Muffuletta.

Looks kinda funny, huh.

Oh, man. It was so good. SO GOOD. Two types of cheese, three types of meat, fresh baked Sicilian bread, and a tangy and spicy olive salad... all mixed together... it... oh, man... it just made... me... whoa boy...

Just thinking about it now makes me want it. I WANT IT NOW.

After lunch it was time for Nicole & Co. to head to the airport. THEY WERE LEAVING ME. But that's okay, there was so much more stuff for me to do! Like listen to these extremely talented street musicians. I think they were my favorite.

From there, I realized I had left my credit card at Central Grocery, so in a panic I ran back. Thankfully, the employee had found it, and gave it back to me, no questions asked. Then I walked to the St. Louis Cemetery which was right next to the French Quarter.

Unfortunately for me, it closed at 3 pm. 3 PM!!! Apparently, it had been closing early because dummies kept trying to vandalize it.

After that failed venture, I went back into the Quarter and saw this cool sign!

It's NOT haunted?? Aw, man, I'm disappointed.

I decided to walk to the river front so I could sit and watch the steamboats go by and relax for a bit.

I had to climb up these stairs though UGH.

I found a bench and some beer, sat down, and let my thoughts wander as the warm breeze tickled my neck.

STOP TRYING TO HIT ON ME, BREEZE.

Then some crazy person walked by and tried to shine my shoes. Unfortunately, I was wearing SNEAKERS, and although I told him multiple times that I didn't need anything, he bent down and squirted some kind of substance on my new kicks, anyway. At that point, I told him firmly, but nicely, to please leave. He then asked me for a tip. ... ... ...

But at least I got this cool shot of the cathedral!

From there I went over to Nathan's bar, where he was busy serving libations. Michelle joined us shortly after, and since it was my birthday, I got a free bottle of champagne!

Now that's some southern hospitality for ya.

Once Nathan was done with work, we headed to a nearby restaurant for some grub. My first course was a martini.

With spicy pickled green beans instead of olives. Sounds weird but tastes SO GOOD.

For the appetizer, we needed some seafood.

Blackened redfish. Oh man... 

Our main course was ALSO SEAFOOD.

Crawfish cream pasta, and then we somehow got a free dish of shrimp etouffee. The server said it was extra, AND WE DID NOT COMPLAIN.

We had mentioned to the server it was my birthday, thinking nothing of it, but then he brought over a warm pecan brownie with ice cream...

I'm going to be so fat.

After dinner, Michelle's sister, Stephanie, and her friends arrived! They were going to stay in the house with us, since almost everyone else had left for New York. We walked out onto Bourbon Street to meet them.

It's definitely a Friday night.

Then Nathan had a seizure he was so excited.

Calm down there, buddy. It's just drunk people.

After picking up Stoof and her friends, we headed over to the Burlesque show! While waiting in line, Michelle and Stephanie automatically felt compelled to reactivate their sibling rivalry.

Hey there, you could poke someone's eyes out with those guns.

We finally got into the lounge to see the show. Our seats were a little awkward though, and at various points during the performance people decided to stand directly in front of us. Ugh. Stupid dumb drunk tourists that aren't me.

The show itself was great! SO MANY BOOBIES. They even let us take a picture with them during the intermission! They were all so sweet!

Except for that one in the middle with the blue shirt and dark hair... oh, wait, that's Michelle.

Then I felt compelled to take a picture with one of the performers who, I SWEAR, looked EXACTLY like Parker Posey.

The similarity is uncanny, I KNOW.

Once the show had ended, Michelle, Nathan, and I were all fading fast. So we went back to the house for sleep well earned.