Vacation!
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Vacation! I've been in Texas since Friday. My cousin got married over the weekend, and I've been spending a tonne of time with my relatives here for the event. Tomorrow I'm heading over to New Orleans for a few days. It should be fun.
Going down to the States was anxiety-inducing, but crossing the border went smoothly, and everyone I've met has been incredibly friendly. Hopefully everything stays smooth 'til I make it home.
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Going down to the States was anxiety-inducing, but crossing the border went smoothly, and everyone I've met has been incredibly friendly. Hopefully everything stays smooth 'til I make it home.
I'm on a train! I'm on a train! Take a good hard look 'cuz I'm riding on a train!
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I'm on a train! I'm on a train! Take a good hard look 'cuz I'm riding on a train!
We've penetrated the inner suburbs of Houston. I can see skyscrapers in the distance. And some massive highways.
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We've penetrated the inner suburbs of Houston. I can see skyscrapers in the distance. And some massive highways.
We had to pass the fourth ring road before I had the thought that the endless sprawl might in fact be part of an urban area, not just random Texas. Now it's getting more built up.
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We had to pass the fourth ring road before I had the thought that the endless sprawl might in fact be part of an urban area, not just random Texas. Now it's getting more built up.
Houston!
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R relay@relay.mycrowd.ca shared this topic on
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Houston!
Louisiana hasn't looked substantially different from the adjacent part of Texas, but I've noticed more water: taller, straighter trees; and more underbrush. I've seen above ground graves a few times now.
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R relay@relay.infosec.exchange shared this topic on
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Louisiana hasn't looked substantially different from the adjacent part of Texas, but I've noticed more water: taller, straighter trees; and more underbrush. I've seen above ground graves a few times now.
Train travel is fun, but this hasn't been a scenic trip.
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Train travel is fun, but this hasn't been a scenic trip.
This train got a little weirdly Christian at the end of the trip. Bible Belt, I guessed.
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This train got a little weirdly Christian at the end of the trip. Bible Belt, I guessed.
Made it! Checked in. Getting a sazerac from the Little Bar on Gravier St. It isn't mostly a giant ice cube, so it's already doing better than Dean's in San Antonio.
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Made it! Checked in. Getting a sazerac from the Little Bar on Gravier St. It isn't mostly a giant ice cube, so it's already doing better than Dean's in San Antonio.
Drink number two: a hurricane.
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Drink number two: a hurricane.
Apparently an unlimited three day transit pass is US$8. I think that's how much a day pass costs back home. Sounds good to me.
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Apparently an unlimited three day transit pass is US$8. I think that's how much a day pass costs back home. Sounds good to me.
I've been in NOLA for over a day, and I still haven't properly been to the French Quarter. I was going to wander in last night, but I stopped at my hotel to drop something off, and then went to bed early (after watching some *Golden Girls*). On the one hand, I'm failing to squeeze in as many experiences as possible. On the other, I've been tired.
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I've been in NOLA for over a day, and I still haven't properly been to the French Quarter. I was going to wander in last night, but I stopped at my hotel to drop something off, and then went to bed early (after watching some *Golden Girls*). On the one hand, I'm failing to squeeze in as many experiences as possible. On the other, I've been tired.
Late lunch time at Café Beignet on Decatur Street.
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Late lunch time at Café Beignet on Decatur Street.
After visiting the Storyville Museum, I returned to my hotel to relax a bit before heading out for dinner and drinks. I think I'm going to wander back down Bourbon Street. Wish me luck.
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After visiting the Storyville Museum, I returned to my hotel to relax a bit before heading out for dinner and drinks. I think I'm going to wander back down Bourbon Street. Wish me luck.
Right. Here's my read on the French Quarter.
It's Gastown
--Except fifty times bigger
--And dingier
--Minus the poverty of the Downtown Eastside
--Plus the Granville entertainment district right in the middle of it.There are, like, quiet parts. And super loud and busy parts. Interesting historical stuff. Tonnes of tourist rubbish.
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Right. Here's my read on the French Quarter.
It's Gastown
--Except fifty times bigger
--And dingier
--Minus the poverty of the Downtown Eastside
--Plus the Granville entertainment district right in the middle of it.There are, like, quiet parts. And super loud and busy parts. Interesting historical stuff. Tonnes of tourist rubbish.
I can see why it's such a huge draw. The mansions in the Garden District are pretty, but there's more stuff to do in the FQ.
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I can see why it's such a huge draw. The mansions in the Garden District are pretty, but there's more stuff to do in the FQ.
Full day three in New Orleans. It's 23°C and sunny. My mind is running an endless loop of *Hot in Herre*. Rushing back to the hotel to ditch my bag and long pants.
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Full day three in New Orleans. It's 23°C and sunny. My mind is running an endless loop of *Hot in Herre*. Rushing back to the hotel to ditch my bag and long pants.
I kept the long pants, but ditched the bag so I'd be unencumbered. I shortly got fleeced by a trio of rappers, then spent the afternoon running around with three CDs in plastic envelopes in my hand. Heading back to the hotel post beignets. Hopefully I've learned my lesson.
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I kept the long pants, but ditched the bag so I'd be unencumbered. I shortly got fleeced by a trio of rappers, then spent the afternoon running around with three CDs in plastic envelopes in my hand. Heading back to the hotel post beignets. Hopefully I've learned my lesson.
It's bonkers that people can drive down Bourbon St, BTW. It's the middle of the day and it's packed with people.
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It's bonkers that people can drive down Bourbon St, BTW. It's the middle of the day and it's packed with people.
Last dinner in New Orleans. I took a suggestion from yesterday and headed out to a BBQ place called The Joint in Bywater. Cool place, and yum.
