After finishing the course, I picked up a few souvenirs at their gift shop. When my Uber arrived, I headed back to my spot. A couple of hours later, it was time for the Swamp Tour that I had booked. The tour is located in Westwego, just a stone's throw from New Orleans, requiring a journey across a lengthy bridge. Throughout my time in NOLA, I encountered a variety of intriguing Uber drivers, each embodying a unique aspect of the city. One driver, an older black gentleman in his sixties, initially seemed a bit perturbed as I took a while to come out. However, once we started chatting, I mentioned I was from New York, sparking a conversation that delved into his life experiences. He shared that he had spent a significant portion of his adult years incarcerated and reflected on the lessons he had learned during that time. Our discussion primarily revolved around the importance of guiding and supporting the youth to ensure a better future. As a father himself, he emphasized the significance of being present in his children's lives, despite facing challenges in the past. Despite his time behind bars, he made a conscious effort to be there for his kids, recognizing the value of parental involvement.

Now, not only does he focus on raising his own kids, but he also dedicates himself to helping other parents in their journey. He’s the author of a book titled "Mental Nurturing: From 0 To 5 And Beyond" which delves into the essential elements of raising a child during those formative years. These early years are critical for shaping young minds, and his book covers the discipline, knowledge, and life skills that should be instilled. It was truly enlightening to converse with him. Thank you, Mr. Jerry Cook!

We arrived at the dock for the swamp tour. I went into the small gift shop/check-in area to get my pink bracelet. Once I had it, the other attendees and I waited outside for the tour guide to give us the green light. After about 10 minutes, we started boarding the boat. It was a spacious vessel that comfortably held all twenty-something of us. The captain, an older white man with a strong Louisiana accent and a deep, unforgettable voice, controlled the boat while providing commentary throughout the tour. He pointed out various animals and shared fascinating facts about them, interspersing his history lessons with a bit of humor to keep things lively. It was a fantastic tour. The only downside was the weather, which was a recurring inconvenience throughout the trip since I had expected it to be warmer. Despite the weather, I enjoyed every moment in New Orleans.

Although I stayed for five more days, if I continued, this "quick" article would turn into a damn full-length book, so we'll end it here. To whoever is reading this, I hope you get the chance to visit this amazing city at some point in your life. Thank you to New Orleans and all the wonderful people there who made this one of the greatest experiences of my life. To summarize this trip, here's a poem I wrote called "Crescent City Testimony":

I grab what I need from Walmart and head back to my spot. After a brief chill at home, I set out again to go zip lining at Zip Nola. This attraction is located further out from Mid City New Orleans, right along Lake Pontchartrain, which is crossed by the Pontchartrain Causeway, the longest bridge in the world. My Uber driver is an older white guy with a strong country accent. As we drive, he shares insights about the city, but I often have to ask him to repeat himself due to his thick accent. He points out St. Louis Cemetery, explaining that all the bodies are buried above ground because the entire city of New Orleans is below sea level, preventing the risk of bodies or coffins being displaced. We also discuss the city's history of seafood, noting that it’s one of the biggest seafood importers in the country. He even highlights some fishing boats in the area. He mentions a few spots where I can find a great seafood boil, but their names slipped my mind. The area we were in felt much more like the countryside than the city, showcasing a better representation of the swamp and bayou often depicted in shows and movies.

We finally arrive at Zip Nola, and it’s freezing out—around 30 to 40 degrees. Not exactly ideal zip lining weather, especially since I’m borderline anemic, so I’m out there shivering. But the adrenaline rush definitely warmed me up! I was greeted by two young women, Cheyann and Chloe, who both had strong country accents. They were super kind throughout the entire experience, walking me through every step and teaching me different tricks. Since I was the only one there, they cheered me on, which made it even better! I was really scared at first, but after the first zip trail, it felt like a breeze.

When I tell you those beignets were worth all the hype, I mean it! Imagine seeing a cartoon version of a food when you’re six years old that makes your mouth water and your taste buds curious. You fantasize about it for 15 years, and then one day, you finally get to try it, and it exceeds all your expectations. It was such a perfect moment. They were so fat and fluffy—perfectly baked goodness topped with powdered sugar. I’ve got to learn how to make beignets! The latte was good too, but the beignets were definitely the highlight; they fulfilled my soul.

After I finished eating, I took some time to soak in the scenery a bit more. Then, I called an Uber to Walmart because I needed to buy some supplies for the Airbnb I was staying in. As I rode in the car, I caught a glimpse of what they consider their downtown area. It’s nothing like the downtown we have in Syracuse. If anything, Canal Street feels more like their downtown.

In this downtown, you’ll see their two major stadiums: The Smoothie King Center, where the Pelicans play, and the Caesars Superdome, home of the Saints. It was truly grand.

To reach Walmart, you must drive through the Gentilly neighborhood. It's a calm, quaint area, quite different from Mid-City. When I finally arrived at Walmart, the first thing I noticed was the immense pride they have for their sports teams. There's an entire section dedicated to LSU, the Saints, and the Pelicans. In this section, you'll find jerseys, merchandise, and various collectibles.

As I arrived at Café Beignet, I took a moment to soak in the vibrant street scene. The area is filled with colorful businesses, where you can grab beignets at Café Beignet and then stroll across the street to browse antiques. It’s truly a sight to behold! Before stepping inside, I snapped a picture of the restaurant's exterior.

Upon entering the establishment, I was immediately struck by the ambiance. The bright tungsten lighting illuminated the space, highlighting the small white tables and matching chairs. Cafe Beignet-themed decorations adorned the glass case and the walls, creating a cohesive aesthetic. As it’s a small restaurant, the entire area is visible at first glance, and the visual impact is overwhelming. However, taking a moment to observe the finer details reveals a deeper appreciation for the design.

I paused to take in my surroundings before approaching the counter to place my order. Once I finally made my way up, I quickly glanced at the overhead menu before being greeted by a friendly young woman with a noticeable Louisiana accent. Behind the counter, there were two Black girls and a white girl, all likely high school-aged. She asked, “What can I get for you?”

Unsure about how the beignets worked, I admitted my confusion. She explained that one order consists of three large beignets, and most customers typically opt for just one order. I nodded, saying, “Okay, cool, I’ll take that and a latte.” She handed me a small card with my order number.

“The latte will be ready at the counter, and we’ll bring your beignets to you.” I replied, “Okay, cool,” and then took a seat to wait. Once again, I was completely mesmerized by the scenery. I snapped a few pictures and videos to share with my family. In about 3 to 5 minutes, my latte and beignets arrived. I recorded another video to showcase the food before diving in.

Day 2

I wake up early in the morning, around 5 AM, and start getting ready. By 7 AM, I'm out the door, headed to the one and only Café Beignet. My first glimpse of New Orleans and its rich culture was through the Disney movie "Princess and the Frog," which was released when I was about six years old. As an average Black boy growing up in urban America, raised on the concept of heteronormative masculinity, I never took much interest in Disney princesses or anything considered "girly." However, I was instantly drawn to Princess Tiana because she was Black. I initially thought Prince Naveen was Black too, and to me, the entire story felt like black royalty.

One of the standout elements of the movie was the beignets. I remember seeing them and wondering, "Wow, I wonder what they taste like in real life.” When I finally arrived in NOLA, I knew I had to find out. It was a little after 7 AM when my Uber driver dropped me off in front of Café Beignet. But let’s rewind for a moment. During the ride, my driver shared some fascinating history about the French Quarter. Although New Orleans' early European settlers were French, the architecture of the French Quarter is actually Spanish. To settle a war debt, France ceded control of Louisiana to Spain from 1763 until 1803. Several fires during Spain's 40-year rule destroyed much of the original French architecture, so a lot of the city's iconic charm can be attributed to the Spanish rebuilding efforts (cross checked with source: neworleans.com).

I should mention the vibe here—it’s definitely got that hood feel that I had in my head. While riding through, I noticed groups of folks (now would be the time to use the n word but I’m gonna keep it professional) just outside, straight thuggin’. Hustlers in fancy cars, looking like they were living large, accompanied by them thick & purty Southern girls. I found it intriguing. I want to experience a NOLA girl who can show me their culture firsthand, calling me “baby” at every chance; Haha, maybe one day! I stroll all the way down Canal, even though I had plenty of chances to catch the streetcar. Finally, I arrive at my place and end up staying in for the rest of the night.

As I made my way down Magazine Street to catch the bus, I observed a noticeable transition from a gentrified neighborhood to one that felt more “urban.” The first sign of this shift was a junkie talking to themselves on the corner, a stark contrast to the previous surroundings. Continuing further, I noticed a predominance of Black individuals in the area. I paused by a basketball court, enjoying the pleasant 70-degree weather and the gentle breeze that had everyone outside. While watching the game, a familiar thought crossed my mind: regardless of where they are in the world, Black people share certain commonalities in behavior, interaction, style, and preferences. Each place has its unique culture, but when you really break it down, the essence feels quite similar. I find that connection beautiful.

Now at the bus stop on Magazine and Napoleon, I awaited my ride. When the bus finally arrived, I was baffled by the bus system. The driver informed me that I needed an app to pay. I offered to use Apple Pay, but he kindly told me to just take a seat. As the bus pulled away, I gazed out the window, absorbing the vibrant views of the city. I was once again captivated by the architecture and the diverse accents of the people around me. While all the accents sounded Southern to my New York ears, they didn’t align with the stereotypical Louisiana accent I had anticipated. I did encounter that accent eventually, and it was intriguing. One surprise was how much more relaxed and “country” the white residents sounded compared to the more proper speech I was used to up north, where we pronounce each syllable with precision. I genuinely appreciate that about them.

As I explore the city, specifically the mid-city area, we eventually reach my stop at Canal Street. I hop off and decide to walk the remaining 20 minutes. The weather is nice, and I’m eager to soak in more of the sights.

Continuing my walk down Magazine Street, I noticed that the setup of the street reminded me of a little village in Brooklyn called Williamsburg. Another key observation was the noticeable lack of blackness. It wasn’t as cultured as I expected; it seemed almost gentrified. Gentrification is a nationwide issue at this point, and it varies in severity from place to place. This specific little street definitely gave off that gentrified vibe. Eventually, I found a small pizza shop, though I can’t remember its name.

Upon entering this quaint, dimly lit restaurant with striking red interior floors and walls, I encountered a tall Caucasian gentleman, seemingly in his early 20s, exuding a sense of queerness. His voice, with a high pitch and feminine quality, greeted me as he inquired about my dining preference. Opting for a slice, I was informed that only personal pizzas were available. Perusing the menu, I settled on a classic choice: wings and a refreshing Coke.

As I awaited my order, I took a moment to survey the establishment. Its ambiance bore a striking resemblance to a quintessential New York eatery. After a brief interval, the server presented me with a plate of BBQ wings accompanied by a side of delectable bleu cheese. The bleu cheese, with a uniquely creamy texture and less thickness than traditional varieties, proved to be a standout. Its rich flavor enhanced the wings, creating a delightful culinary experience as the cheese elegantly cascaded with each dip.

After finishing up there, I strolled down Magazine Street in search of a food spot and stumbled upon a thrift store first. If you know me, you know how much I love thrifting, so I had to stop by! The place was called Buffalo Exchange, and as soon as I walked in, I was reminded of a thrift store back in Syracuse, NY, known as Plato’s Closet. The organization of the store was a bit chaotic, but the clothes were definitely worth it. I was mainly focused on finding a pair of shoes, and my eye was drawn to a pair of Jordan 2 ‘Lucky Green’. I tried them on and headed to the cash register. The store was packed with people and clothes, making it feel quite cluttered. After waiting in line for a while, I started to feel a bit overstimulated. I did my best to hide it, but my emotions tend to be pretty loud. Finally, I made it to the register and put on a big smile for the cashier as I bought the shoes and left.

Now, we've arrived at Magazine St., where I'm at Glasskin Esthetics for a facial. While the exterior may appear somewhat dull, the interior is warm and inviting. Upon entering this tranquil, intimate space, I'm greeted by a young darkskin woman behind the counter. As I check in, a brownskin woman in a lab coat approaches—could this be a Black-owned business? If so, that would make it even more special. I'm currently enveloped in the delightful scent of YSL Black Opium. It's around 1:45 PM, and my facial is scheduled for 2. I’m thrilled to be in New Orleans. My Uber driver was the first person with a NOLA accent I've encountered, and though she spoke little, her accent was charming.

The ambiance here is soothing, with gentle music playing. The decor is feminine and thoughtfully curated, featuring various shades of pink, a display of skincare products, and nine plants adding a touch of nature. I'm seated on a cozy green sofa, with two petite chairs and a small stand showcasing skincare brochures and magazines nearby. The vibe of this place is meticulously designed. I’m now in the treatment room, surrounded by more pink. I’ve emptied my pockets and undressed from the waist up. The facial was absolutely amazing—super relaxing! What really stood out to me was the way she massaged my face, shoulders, and chest. I’ve had facials before, but her massage skills were on another level.

Murica's Conscience: N'awlins

As I ride down Napoleon Ave, I'm captivated by the vibrant colors of the city. Each building stands out, unique and brimming with its own narrative, a stark contrast to New York's minimalist architecture. We pass SBW SCHOOL, proudly displaying their Top 10 graduates of 2024. The traffic here flows calmly and respectfully compared to NY, where the roads are occupied by reckless drivers and road ragers.