All aboard for a trip into New Orleans' past on the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world! The mahogany seats, brass fittings and exposed ceiling light bulbs are from a day when plastic seats and aluminum rails were not even a thought. Rumbling around the ''neutral ground'' of St. Charles Avenue and Carrollton Avenue for more than 150 years, the streetcar symbolizes the charm and romance of the City of New Orleans. The route traditionally forms a 13.2-mile crescent from Carondelet at Canal Street in the Central Business District through the oldest and most majestic section of uptown New Orleans, around the Riverbend to Carrollton at Claiborne Avenue. Swaying along St. Charles Avenue through a tunnel Live Oaks, the streetcar passes dozens of antebellum mansions, historic monuments, Loyola and Tulane universities, the sweeping grounds of the Audubon Zoological Gardens, shopping centers, fine restaurants and hotels. (source: New Orleans Online)By the way, my home town, Budapest also boasts a wonderful panoramic streetcar tour. Hop aboard Streetcar 2 in summer, fall, spring to get amazing riverfront views of the city of Budapest. In winter, the streetcar is all glittering as it is a special Christmas streetcar in Budapest (a lovely sight of the heritage car with many little Xmas lights on)
Oct 22, 2012
New Orleans, St. Charles Streetcar Line - Number 3 Most Scenic Route
According to the National Geographic, the St. Charles Streetcar Line in New Orleans, LA has one of the most scenic routes in the world. It came as number 3 on the National Geographic Top Ten Streetcar List
Congrats NOLA!
Feb 17, 2009
What tourists may enjoy in New Orleans, Louisiana - video tour of highlights
This New Orleans video features the major highlights for a 3-5 day New Orleans tour: from Napoleon House, through Galatoire's to the Aquarium, from the New Orleans Museum of Art through the Column Hotel to the Barber Shop Men, Children's Museum etc. - and of course jazz at all measure.
The genre of the video film is like a tour video clip and and advertisement/ infomercial for foreverneworleans.com.
The genre of the video film is like a tour video clip and and advertisement/ infomercial for foreverneworleans.com.
Feb 16, 2009
Benjamin Button - film shot in New Orleans
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was shot in several parts of New Orleans - yet again a film using the peculiar atmosphere of NOLA.
My favorite Rue de La Course Cafe (Rue on Oak) is not shown in the Benjamin Button film of course, but I recognized its corner and the former bank building with a characteristic clock on Oak Street in New Orleans immediately - I think it was shown in several scenes of the Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchette film.
And how could one forget the streets with the live oak trees and shotgun houses?
It is always a good feeling to recognize a place you loved and frequented in a nice film presentation.
My favorite Rue de La Course Cafe (Rue on Oak) is not shown in the Benjamin Button film of course, but I recognized its corner and the former bank building with a characteristic clock on Oak Street in New Orleans immediately - I think it was shown in several scenes of the Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchette film.
And how could one forget the streets with the live oak trees and shotgun houses?
It is always a good feeling to recognize a place you loved and frequented in a nice film presentation.
Nov 30, 2008
Video of New Orleans Jacques Imo's Cafe & Restaurant
One of the best dining experiences we had in New Orleans was at Jacques Imo's (thanks for the invitation, Grady and Elena!).
Although we had to wait in front of the restaurant for an hour to get in (in good weather take some mosquito repellent), it was well worth it. Great food, superb atmosphere, the cafe was crammed with happily eating-chatting people. It's definitely a place to go if you enjoy the continuous buzz of people feeling relaxed. No tie, no worries, no stuck-up ladies, exquisite food. You can feel at home immediately. A must see - must eat place in New Orleans.
Jacques Imos video made by InSearchOfRealFood may help you to decide if you want to check out this fantastic restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately the video just misses to show the interior of the restaurant, but we learn how Jacques is picking different foods for different musician styles.
David Liebermann is welcome by Jacques Imo, the chef and owner of Jacques Imo's Cafe in New Orleans.
Jacques says: "I said, hey, if I can't be a rock star, I might as well party and serve the rock stars."
Although we had to wait in front of the restaurant for an hour to get in (in good weather take some mosquito repellent), it was well worth it. Great food, superb atmosphere, the cafe was crammed with happily eating-chatting people. It's definitely a place to go if you enjoy the continuous buzz of people feeling relaxed. No tie, no worries, no stuck-up ladies, exquisite food. You can feel at home immediately. A must see - must eat place in New Orleans.
Jacques Imos video made by InSearchOfRealFood may help you to decide if you want to check out this fantastic restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately the video just misses to show the interior of the restaurant, but we learn how Jacques is picking different foods for different musician styles.
David Liebermann is welcome by Jacques Imo, the chef and owner of Jacques Imo's Cafe in New Orleans.
Jacques says: "I said, hey, if I can't be a rock star, I might as well party and serve the rock stars."
Apr 28, 2008
New Orleans Botanical Garden Video
Here's a quick peep into the Botanical Garden of New Orleans. The Botanical Garden was opened in 1936 as New Orleans' first public classical garden. It is "as a showcase of three notable talents: New Orleans Architect Richard Koch, Landscape architect William Wiedorn, and Artist Enrique Alferez"
I like the garden designs in New Orleans very much, especially in the Garden District and Uptown New Orleans where we usually bike and make our errands. The patios, front yards are simply beautiful, and more and more people are coming up with exquisite garden designs.
Needless to say, we also enjoy the various concerts the city pleases its visitors with. The Last Straws, a Dixie Land and Traditional Jazz band, played this March as part of the New Orleans Botanical Gardens Twilight Concert series. And many concerts are free!
I hope to see a plantation tour with the old-old oak trees folding their branches before returning to Budapest Hungary.
(source: New Orleans City Park.com)
The site contains the recently renovated Conservatory of the Two Sisters, several theme gardens containing aquatics, ornamental trees and shrubs, perennials, and the new New Orleans Historic Train Garden. The garden also encompasses the Pavilion of the Two Sisters, the Garden Study Center, and the rebuilt Lath House.
I like the garden designs in New Orleans very much, especially in the Garden District and Uptown New Orleans where we usually bike and make our errands. The patios, front yards are simply beautiful, and more and more people are coming up with exquisite garden designs.
Needless to say, we also enjoy the various concerts the city pleases its visitors with. The Last Straws, a Dixie Land and Traditional Jazz band, played this March as part of the New Orleans Botanical Gardens Twilight Concert series. And many concerts are free!
I hope to see a plantation tour with the old-old oak trees folding their branches before returning to Budapest Hungary.
Apr 15, 2008
New Orleans Exposed - NOX
New Orleans Exposed directed by Dawayne Morgan is a film made in 2005, before Katrina changed the city. It was made at a time when New Orleans, the Big Easy was crowned the murder capital. The dark side of New Orleans housing projects without sugar coating but with real life New Orleans Rappers.
Gun was easy to come by, it was a product that made somebody a man in the ghetto, as the guys in the film explain. Some blame the bad education system, some the lack of jobs, or the lack of jobs that show beyond McDonald's. Some point out that there's a lot of retaliation going on, but almost all agreed that ghetto gunmen are/were not representing gangs, instead, " it's 'an individual mayhem.'"
"Enter the world of New Orleans. No, not the French Quarter or Mardi Gras, but the the gritty urban life that is live in New Orleans many projects. The harsh reality of the inner city exposed; drugs, guns, corruption, food, music, culture. This is the Big Easy as you've never seen it before. Features Juvenile, Sqad Up, B.G., 5th Ward Weebie, Tribute To Soulja Slim and more." The 2006 version is 30 min longer than the 2005 (including a bit on Katrina)
Another snippet of the film can be seen here.
Gun was easy to come by, it was a product that made somebody a man in the ghetto, as the guys in the film explain. Some blame the bad education system, some the lack of jobs, or the lack of jobs that show beyond McDonald's. Some point out that there's a lot of retaliation going on, but almost all agreed that ghetto gunmen are/were not representing gangs, instead, " it's 'an individual mayhem.'"
"Enter the world of New Orleans. No, not the French Quarter or Mardi Gras, but the the gritty urban life that is live in New Orleans many projects. The harsh reality of the inner city exposed; drugs, guns, corruption, food, music, culture. This is the Big Easy as you've never seen it before. Features Juvenile, Sqad Up, B.G., 5th Ward Weebie, Tribute To Soulja Slim and more." The 2006 version is 30 min longer than the 2005 (including a bit on Katrina)
Another snippet of the film can be seen here.
Apr 8, 2008
New Orleans by Arthur Lubin: Farewell to Storyville
Here's a scene from Lubin's film 'New Orleans' made in 1947. Farewell Storyville performed by Billie Holiday (aka Lady Day), Louis Armstrong the band-leader, Woody Herman, etc..
The lyrics of Farewell to Storyville:
All, you old-time queens, from New Orleans, who lived in Storyville
You sang the blues, try to amuse, here's how they pay the bill
The law stepped in and called it sin to have a little fun
The police car has made a stop and Storyville is done
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train - a slo-ow train
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train - a slo-ow train
They made you close-up they'll never let you back - won't let you back
Go buy your ticket or else you walk the track
No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
Just say farewell now and get your one last thrill - your one last thrill
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville
No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville
Just say farewell now and get your one last thrill - your one last thrill
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville
Storyville was the infamous red light district of New Orleans from 1897 through 1917. The image was made by Ben Ledbetter architect
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"Some early jazz writers suggested that Storyville was key in the development of jazz and that its closing was responsible for New Orleans musicians leaving for Chicago; but this is now regarded as inaccurate. Some people from elsewhere continue to associate Storyville with the origins of jazz. It was tradition in the better Storyville establishments to hire a piano player and sometimes small bands." (wikipedia)
And indeed, "how about one more tune before we leave?" I like the lady throwing a farewell stone at the window.
The lyrics of Farewell to Storyville:
All, you old-time queens, from New Orleans, who lived in Storyville
You sang the blues, try to amuse, here's how they pay the bill
The law stepped in and called it sin to have a little fun
The police car has made a stop and Storyville is done
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train - a slo-ow train
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train - a slo-ow train
They made you close-up they'll never let you back - won't let you back
Go buy your ticket or else you walk the track
No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
Just say farewell now and get your one last thrill - your one last thrill
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville
No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville
Just say farewell now and get your one last thrill - your one last thrill
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville
Storyville was the infamous red light district of New Orleans from 1897 through 1917. The image was made by Ben Ledbetter architect
View Larger Map
"Some early jazz writers suggested that Storyville was key in the development of jazz and that its closing was responsible for New Orleans musicians leaving for Chicago; but this is now regarded as inaccurate. Some people from elsewhere continue to associate Storyville with the origins of jazz. It was tradition in the better Storyville establishments to hire a piano player and sometimes small bands." (wikipedia)
And indeed, "how about one more tune before we leave?" I like the lady throwing a farewell stone at the window.
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