Spring Break 2013 - Day 2 - New Orleans, II

By the time we finished unpacking necessities, using the washroom, getting changed and everything, we were staaaarvvving!!! Actually, let me correct myself. Even before we did all that, we were starving. We carelessly left our snack luggage at the Champaign Train Station, so we didn't have food on the train ride. We were too stubborn to pay for the super-expensive train food, but I managed to steal waters for all of us. [Shhh.... don't tell the Captain]. Boy oh boy though, it was a rough 19 hour train ride to say the least.

Okay, so anyways, we were done getting ready and we were sooo ready to cop some grub! Along the way, I took some time to admire some of the houses around New Orleans.

Beautiful, Colorful House

Beautiful, Colorful House

Beautiful, Colorful Sign to a Restaurant.....that was closed

Beautiful, Colorful Decoration on Someone's Fence

I loved the variety around the whole city. Unlike Chicago, where I'm used to seeing houses that are exactly the same, every house and restaurant here had its own flavor and personality. Even if structurally, they may be similar, the paint job and decorations and this and that are all completely individual. Every house had a life of its own, and it was so awesome to see how intricate and amazing some designs could be.

Well, after about an hour of admiring houses that don't serve food and restaurants that are closed, we finally found a place that was open--Voodoo BBQ & Grill. Ohhh yeahhh!!!

This is a chain restaurant and it may not be the best taste of New Orleans, but we didn't care. We were hungry and it was good and we didn't have this type of stuff in Chicago.

The Graveyard Platter w/ Brisket, Jerk Chicken, Corn Pudding, Garlic Bread, and Voodoo BBQ Sauce

I hate taking pictures of food b/c my camera phone has the poorest quality known to modern civilization. Even though the picture doesn't do it justice, believe me, it was delicious!! I am drooling right now just thinking of it.

Spring Break 2013 - Day 2 - New Orleans, I

Bright and early! Hot and early!! Holy crap was it hot!! Coming from Champaign where it was like 20 degrees, we were NOT ready for this 80 degree weather. It was beautiful though... I shouldn't be complaining in this post.

Here is a picture of the train station we just got out from but really, this picture is to give you an idea of how lovely New Orleans looked. Palm trees, clear blue sky, clean sidewalks!

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Okay, as we make our way further away from the train station and into downtown New Orleans where our hotel was, we realized it was NOT clean. There's debris everywhere and there were streets that were so shoddy and non-accessible, we sometimes had to lift up the wheelchairs over the curbs. Another first impression about New Orleans. There is a lot of homelessnesss. However, all the homeless persons on the street are really nice and friendly. This must be that Southern hospitality. I like it.

Spring Break 2013 - Day 1 - Train to New Orleans

A little while ago, I decided to go on a Spring Break trip to New Orleans with my friends, so I can PA for them. It was a really hard decision.

On one hand, it was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I get a free trip with pay; I would only have to pay for food and souvenirs or whatever. In addition, I get to experience the culture and the community of New Orleans. I've been to the North, East, West, Midwest--I can finally get a taste of the South. Lastly, I get to help give my friends a trip of a lifetime! Being in wheelchairs, there are perceived limitations when it comes to travelling. However, they overlooked the obstacles and decided that they were going to go on this trip! Why wouldn't I want to be a part of that.

On the other hand, I would only be able to be back home for half of Spring Break. It was tough because at this point in the school year, I was already incredibly homesick. I wanted to be home and see my family and friends. That's it--plain and simple--I missed my family and friends. 

After talking to my mom and sister, they encouraged me to go on the trip. They understood that I missed them, but they knew I may not have such an opportunity again. They reasoned that I would still be able to be home, even if it's a little later and for a shorter amount of time--and I'll have fun in New Orleans, so why not? 

Come today though, I was regretting my decision. My UIUC friends were staying another day or so, but I had to leave a day earlier to catch my bus. When I was saying bye, I just kept thinking, "I don't care about New Orleans. I just want to hang out for a little bit longer and then go home to my family!" It felt horrible. It took a long phone call with Becky to finally calm me down. 

Once I was calm though, I remembered why I was going on the trip again--and I was super excited! I met up with the guys, helped them pack their things, headed off to the station, and got on the train. Nineteen hours from now, we'll be in the diirrrty South in good ol' New Orleans.