February 7, 2010

In honor of Superbowl Sunday, here is my tales from New Orleans. WHO DAT! WHO DAT! WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT THEM SAINTS!!!

I love the city of New Orleans. I always have. I’ve been lucky enough to travel there over the years many, many times with Marriott.

I’ve put many a large group and convention there. I was there 4 months after Katrina hit to help put business back in the hotel because tourism is a huge part of the economy of that community and city.

I haven’t been back since I left Marriott and have been wanted to go back and help put some money into the economy. No seriously, I really wanted to shop , eat and spend money there because I know how dramatically it affects so many people.

One of my favorite people has a a very big job in NOLA, heading up sales and marketing at the hotel. Mark and Jennifer have been friends for almost 20 years and when I told them we were coming to the city, they took care of our reservations in a very special, big way.

A suite overlooking the Mississippi River and all of the French Quarter. Plus time with them exploring the city along with their most delightful kids.

Mom took one of the post Katrina tours which are being offered- her two biggest take aways- how big the affected area was in the city and the incredible 100 homes Brad Pitt is working so hard to build in the city.

We also got completely caught up with the Saints frenzy as they get ready for Super Bowl this weekend. This story couldn’t have been written any better. The quarterback and coach both live in areas of the city that are being rebuilt. The entire team is chanting: Who Dat! We just loved being part of all of this, including buying our share of Saints “stuff”. Mardi Gras Saints beads, Who Dat T shirts and sweatshirts- we will be cheering our lungs out come Sunday for “our team”.

And the food and meals… K Pauls. Galatoire’s. Cafe du monde. Even the Marriott’s restaurant 5 Fifty Five has world class New Orleans cookin’. We ate at KPauls and ended up the evening taking pictures with the chefs and culinary team. And if all this wasn’t enough, the hotel even sent up an entire cart of food and goodies for us to enjoy. Oh yes, Aunt Sallie’s Pralines… Lordy, the food just didn’t stop.

And on our way out of town and on to the next stop- we found a Mardi Gras Warehouse for wholesale beads and other must have trinkets. Prices were about half of what they were in the French Quarter.

I still love this city, the people, the spirit, the good humor of all, and the food! Next time I won’t wait quite so long to return….