June 15: New Orleans

Dear Friends and Relatives,

Woke at an early hour this morning, and then had a lovely apple turnover and French Truck coffee, distributed here in New Orleans and the best I have ever tasted.  I will have to order some when I get back.  Donna and I halved a juicy orange, then got our things for the day and walked to the World War II Museum, an enormous complex of buildings.  We started at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, which features macro-artifacts, special temporary exhibits, and a Train Car Experience, re-creating a 1940s train station and introducing the visitor to the events leading up to America joining the conflict.  From there we proceeded to the Solomon Victory Theater Complex, seeing, hearing, and feeling the epic story of WW II in the 4D experience “Beyond all Boundaries,” narrated by Tom Hanks.  An incredible tour de force production.

Next was a giant permanent exhibit in the third building: “Campaigns of Courage: European and Pacific Theaters,” following in the footsteps of the citizen soldier in this pavilion’s immersive exhibits.  The visitors relive the drama, sacrifices, personal stories, and strategies of America’s campaign to defeat the Axis powers and preserve freedom.  

By this time we were famished and our feet hurt, so we had lunch in the American Sector Restaurant and Bar, seated at the bar and surrounded by photos of some of the major Hollywood stars of the late 30s and 40s:  Clark Gable, Betty Grable, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart,  Katherine Hepburn, James Cagney, and Bob Hope.  Afterwards we saw a special exhibit on Bob Hope and his great capacity for humor and the gift of it to the soldiers, as he put his life in danger to make them forget their desperate plight momentarily and give them a ray of hope and humor.  

From lunch, consisting of a fine hamburger and French fries, we had to walk outside the buildings and take Magazine Street to the fourth building in the complex, as there is so much construction going on for additional buildings that we had to take a detour.  Eventually, a new 1940s type Art Deco hotel and conference center will be built on the premises as well!  We, however, went to the US Freedom Pavilion: the Boeing Center, and stood beside authentic vehicles of war to view WW II airplanes.  There were also catwalks which we used for an up-close look.  I was able to see a B-17 Flying Fortress, in which my father flew 25 missions and served as a radio operator and tail gunner.  Exhibits described the history and production of war machines and honored service in every branch of the military.  

All in all, we were at that museum for about 7 hours, so afterwards took Über to our next destination, which was Cafe du Monde, right next to the French Quarter and packed with people.  We had 2 beignets and cafe au lait, which hit the spot.  I appreciated the beignets, but would prefer the dough to be a little less dense than it was.  

From there we climbed the stairs to view the mighty Mississippi, then down again in the opposite direction towards Jackson Park and an equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson.  Lovely plantings, manicured gardens, and exquisite cast ironwork on the gates led to the Cabildo and the Cathedral of St. Louis.  Street performers, food trucks, and henna tattoo artists populated the plaza in front of the cathedral, but you could not get into the cathedral due to barriers.  We found out why: King Felipe of Spain and Queen Leticia of Spain are in town to celebrate the 300th anniversary of New Orleans.  We caught a brief glimpse of them and were able to take photos from afar (though a bit blurry), as they entered the Cabildo.  

As we were a little less than a mile from our hotel, we walked back.  It is nice to be our air conditioned room again.  We have ordered another gumbo for tonight (featuring chicken and andouille sausage), as well as crab cakes, which Donna is picking up as we speak.  Afterwards, we might watch a movie.  Great day!  Tomorrow we are off to the Museum of Southern Cooking and the Cocktail until mid-afternoon, and then we are off to the airport.  Such a vibrant city!  Not to be missed!  SV