Some New Orleans Lagniappe...

Lagniappe

[lan-yap] noun.

Origin:  Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

1. a small gift given with a purchase; bonus.

2. a gratuity or tip.

3. an unexpected or indirect benefit.

Since I still have a little more to share with you about our fabulous girl's weekend in New Orleans (see post below), I thought I would entertain you with some

"New Orleans Trivia"

to close out our wonderful weekend in the Big Easy.

Jax Brewery, established 1891 

I want you to feel as though you came along with us so please play along with me as we stroll through the streets of Louisiana's French Quarter and enjoy the charming chippiness of the beautiful French/Spanish-influenced architecture.

I can assure you that at the end of this post, you'll be a Certified Cajun  ;)

New Orleans was founded in:

A. 1692

B.  1718

C. 1805

by Frenchman Jean Baptiste LeMoyne (aka Sir Bienville).

While serving as Governor of French Louisiana, Bienville discovered an area of high land located in the crescent bend of the Mississippi River. An area that he felt would be protected from flood and hurricanes.

{Today, New Orleans is well below sea level and very vulnerable to major hurricanes.

It is believed that the city will be succumbed to the Gulf of Mexico within 90 years from now.

It is sinking on the average of an inch a year.}

Shortly after his arrival in the "Crescent City", he hired an engineer to design and build a new settlement which he proudly named...

"La Nouvelle Orleans" (New Orleans)

An eleven by seven blocked rectangle area was drafted and built with exquisite French flair.

This area is famously known as the French Quarter or the Vieux Carre' (old square). 

In 1723, Bienville realized that New Orleans had much to offer with it's deep water port and protection from the levees, he moved the Capital of French Louisiana from Biloxi to New Orleans.

Most of the French architecture was destroyed by the great fires of 1788 and 1794. During those years after Bienville's reign, Louisiana was no longer the French capital. It was a Provence of Spain, thus the city blocks were rebuilt with the Spanish influence as seen above today.

New Orleans was founded by Sir Bienville in:

B. 1718.

(did you get it right?)

kee-yaw...you a smart one!

Are you ready for some more?

Alrighty then, since we're in New Orleans, let's talk about some Voodoo...

Voodoo is a West-African derived religion brought to the New World by slaves, often by way of Haiti. This religion mixed with Western religion, including Catholicism.

New Orleans Voodoo has religious and ritual elements much like Haitian Voodoo, but also puts a strong emphasis on gris~gris and magic.

Even though it is thought to be, Voodoo is not a cult or a devil worshiping religion.

It's primary intention is to serve the spirits and ask them for help.

What is gris~gris?

[gree-gree] noun.

A. an herb used in gumbo

B. another name for astrology

C. spell casting potions

And who would be the queen of Voodoo in New Orleans?

None other than Marie Laveau.

Marie was born some time between 1790 and 1805. Her date of birth is really unknown as many believed her to be of the "supernatural".

She was born in New Orleans, the daughter of a white planter and Creole woman of color.

Creole

[cree ohl] noun.

1. a person born in Louisiana but of French ancestry.

2. a person of mixed black and European (French or Spanish) who speaks a creolized form of French or Spanish.

3. the creolized French language spoken of the descendants who settled in Louisiana (Cajuns)

[cree ohl] adjective.

1. a spicy sauce made with tomatoes, peppers, onions, celery and various seasonings usually served over rice.

Marie Laveau (estimated 1801-1881)

The Voodoo Queen

 

photo courtesy of The Cablido, New Orleans

Marie is buried in the St. Louis Cemetery #1 where thousands visit her tomb and leave a gift for favors still being rendered.

Makes me kind of wonder...is she "really" dead? 

;)

gris~gris is:

C. spell casting potions

(did you get it right?)

well I'll be dawg, you almost a Cajun, sha!

If you get a chance to google the St. Louis Cemetery #1 (there are three!), it's really worth reading about.

This cemetery is one square block, consists of hundreds above-the-ground tombs providing a resting place for over 100,000 dead.

All in ONE square BLOCK!

eeeewwww!

Speaking of St. Louis, this amazing structure above was named after Louis IX, the King of France.

The St. Louis Cathedral

In 1721, a French engineer by the name of Adrien De Pauger settled in La Nouvelle Orleans and designated this site for a new parish church. Construction began in 1724 but unfortunately one year before it's completion in 1727, De Pauger died. In his will, he requested that he be buried within the walls of the church and his wishes were indeed granted. 

Then came the great fire of 1788 and destroyed the church. It was rebuilt and dedicated as a Cathedral in 1794. It was expanded in it's early years to it's present grandeur today...

So can you tell me...

Who is portrayed in the bronze statue in the center of Place de' Armes?

A. Abraham Lincoln

B. Andrew Jackson

C. George Washington

In 1825, an Italian artist/painter was hired to paint the interior walls and ceilings of the cathedral...

for a price of $1,855.

That was a LOT of money back then...

But after standing beneath his masterpieces...everywhere I looked, his artwork is priceless!

Below is a close-up of the center ceiling (3 stories high)...amazing!

Through the Vatican, St. Louis Cathedral holds the rank as a minor Basilica and celebrates Mass daily.

Beautiful!!!!

The imposing bronze statue in the center of Place de' Armes in Jackson Square is:

B. Andrew Jackson

duh!

(hope you got that one right!)

So how are you holding up?

Are you enjoying the sights?

I just love all of the OLD! Just look at all the distressed wood above...even Tim Holtz would have a hard time making new stuff look like that! (I love me some Tim!)

I'd even settle for mixing the old and the new together for a charming masterpiece...I love the Spanish wrought iron tucked behind the French columns! Spectacular show for the senses!!!

I bet you want a coffee break, right?

Let's head over to Cafe Du Monde for some cafe au lait and beignets...how does that sound?

How many locations of Cafe Du Monde are open in Louisiana today?

A. 1

B. 5

C. 8

The original structure was built in 1813 after the great hurricane of 1812 destroyed the previous French Market built in 1771.

In 1942, Henry Fernandez bought the property and started his coffee shop. It is still owned by the family today.

The original coffee shop, located on Decatur Street, is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

The only day they are closed is Christmas Day.

New Orleans never sleeps so it's always a good time for coffee and beignets, right?

Beignet

[ben yay] noun.

1. a square piece of dough that is fried and covered in powdered sugar.

Cafe Du Monde serves them in orders of three so it's convenient to share with a loved one.

hmmm.

(i've been known to eat all three. sorry loved ones)

;)

Cafe Du Monde has a total of:

C. 8

locations in Louisiana!

So if you are in La Nouvelle Orleans, Metairie, Mandeville, Gretna, Kenner, or Covington and you need a coffee and beignet fix, there's a Cafe Du Monde around corner!!!!

Okay...I got myself all hungry for some and there ain't none here in Eunice! ;)

That concludes our trip of New Orleans for today. I hope you enjoyed your tour.

I sure enjoyed my weekend with the girls and now I get to take you up North Louisiana and tell you about our other stops during our 11 day road trip to North Texas.

So pa-lease don't get unpacked!!!

;)

If you've made it this far and enjoyed La Nouvelle Orleans, then I automatically grant you Cajun status!

Yay!!!!  Congratulations!!!

For those of you who got all 4 right...you bleed Cajun.

3 right...you love La Nouvelle Orleans as much as us Cajuns do.

2 right...you are a Cajun at heart.

1 right..."wanna be Cajuns" need love too. I forgive you.

0 right...come on down. I promise to show you a good time!

:)

Not to make anyone feel left out because everyone goes home with a little Lagniappe from Louisiana, here's a BONUS question:

Who won Super Bowl XLIV?

Hint:

The Saints! woooo hoooo!

See? You DO have some Cajun in you ;)

Leave me a comment and let me know how Cajun YOU are!

This was F.U.N.

You are such a wonderful side kick!!!

:)))