Derek picked us up about 5:30am (Thank you, Derek!!) and took us to the train station. We checked most of our bags and carried only a couple, the computer bag and the food bag, onto the train with us. We’re learning how to spend time in a tiny space.
To make up for the porter from Hell on our last train, we had the porter from Heaven on this train. He greeted us, told us his name, gave us the orientation spiel about where the bathroom is and the coffee at the end of the hall. We explained we’d like meals in the room and he didn’t even blink. We explained we’re gluten and dairy intolerant and he got it. We ordered our scrambled eggs and potatoes and he said, “OK and no croissant” without being prompted.
Later when he came to get our lunch order, he started with “I’m think we want salads for lunch?” It was like he was psychic, aided a bit by the fact that salad was just about the only thing on the lunch menu that we could eat. We did order salads and when they came, we augmented them with a can of tuna we had brought with us.
The skies today were overcast. We passed by lots of bodies of water, trees, swampy areas. Very different scenery than crossing the desert. We tried to nap a while on our seats but it was cramped.
Dinner was salmon again, our only option on the menu. Our porter assured me the “ancient grains” on the menu was just risotto (rice) so I had that this time.
We arrived in NOLA ahead of schedule but had to wait for our bags for about 10 minutes. We had looked at the Curb app to get an idea of what a cab should cost from the station to B’s aunt and uncle’s house. It said about $20. By the time we collected our bags, all the cabs that had been at the curb were gone, so I went ahead and gave Curb a try and ordered a cab.
That cab arrived a couple minutes later and the driver said he wasn’t going to follow the Curb rules; he said it would be about $50. He seemed a little slimy as well. B flew into “FU” mode and basically told him to go away. He said, “hey, it’s Mardi Gras so good luck” and drove away. This was the first time I tried to use the Curb app. Probably the last time, too.
We did not plan this for our trip. Somehow we managed to spend a night in Los Angeles during the worst storm of the decade; land in San Antonio on the day of their annual rodeo; and arrive in New Orleans two days before Fat Tuesday with Mardi Gras parades and activities in full swing. Neither of us enjoys large crowds. Our biggest concern was, if one of us were to get sick and have to quarantine, there would be no hotel rooms available and we’d be in trouble.
Another cab pulled into the turnout in front of the station and we approached him. He also said about $50 but seemed like a more honest guy. Being dead tired, we relented and got in. We chatted as he drove. He said Mardi Gras is a season. Not just a day or a week. He talked about being stopped for hours by one of the daily parades, or being directed by one police officer to go this way, then a block in that direction another police officer told him to go back the other way.
Luckily we did not run into traffic and arrived at the house in good time. Ed and Yvonne greeted us. We settled in, chatted with our hosts for a while, and fell into bed.
Prev: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 – San Antonio
Next: Feb. 11-17, 2024 – New Orleans
Return to Travel Journals page
Adrian Dee, flutist, composer 