Bourbon Street

I decided to spend the month of my 50th birthday at an AirBnB on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The trip was brutal. I didn’t get enough sleep and was exhausted. On top of that it poured for the last part making visibility awful. I had to street park on Bourbon to unload my luggage then drive a few blocks away to the gated parking. By the time I got into my room I was cold and soaked. After drying off I settled down and crashed in the very plush four-post bed.

I woke around eight and dozed until noon. The coffee maker was broken—no coffee to start the day—so eventually I went looking for a drugstore. Lucky me, there was a CVS 0.3 miles away. (Spoiler alert: I walked much farther).

Before I headed out I decided to check out the common areas of my AirBnB, so I walked out to the private courtyard. It was a beautiful secluded brick paver space with bistro tables and potted plants. The shared laundry was just off the courtyard, so I stuck my head in to check it out. Expecting no one I was startled by a young woman putting clothes into the dryer. We exchanged pleasantries and I turned to leave. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” I asked. “Rachel” she told me. “Nice to meet you” I said and turned to leave. “Wait” she stopped me. “What was your name again? I already forgot.” We both laughed as I repeated my name, then I was off to CVS.

Now, I don’t know what Apple Maps has against Bourbon Street but it directed me on the most ridiculous trek down side streets that I got lost. I imagine I walked well over a mile to go 0.3. On the way back I eschewed the GPS and made my way to Bourbon Street to find my apartment. I did walk a block too far, but it led me to a diner and also a divey looking barber shop.

After dropping off my CVS supplies, I walked the half block up the street for a burger. It was a run-down but clean place that advertised “never frozen” beef hamburger cooked under a real American hubcap. The fryer was down so no fries. I ordered a medium cooked burger with cheddar cheese, onion, lettuce, and tomato.

“Mayonnaise?” he asked.

“I’m sorry” I replied.

“Mayonnaise?” he asked again.

Embarrassed I still shook my head. The third time I clocked it. “No thank you, just ketchup and mustard.”

The burger was delicious. I ate half and took the rest to my room to enjoy later.

I texted the apartment manager. Hopefully the coffee maker arrives before tomorrow.