If I have a favorite vacation then I guess I should have a least favorite. Doesn’t mean it was bad, just not one I care to repeat.
That one would be the Amtrak vacation Sandy and I took that covered San Antonio and New Orleans.
Yellow roses of Texas
San Antonio was great. I loved the River Walk and the tour of the old Spanish Missions.
Seeing the Alamo was interesting too.
It wasn’t what I expected but then I’m, not sure what I did expect. There is so much written about the Alamo. It’s been immortalized and romanticized in so many movies, books and folk lore. I was disappointed that they were repairing the façade so there was no way to take a photo for myself without the crane in front but I do understand the need to maintain the building to keep it from crumbling. I could have bought a post card.
The train ride from San Antonio to New Orleans was pleasant. We met some nice people in the dining car and the motion of the train and the clickity clack made it easy to nap along the way. There was a nice observation car with a dome and comfy seating if you wanted to sight see.
Once in New Orleans we had some minor issues with the room. That was fixed quickly but it was late (after 10 pm) so it was a bit annoying.
We didn’t have a car so we walked to the tour bus stop on the waterfront. We had to be there early and I found myself watching over my shoulder. The street was pretty messy and with the garbage pickup still sometime in the future it was pretty smelly.
Not too many people were out walking and although we did pass a jogger or two, I still couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. I was very happy to see the ticket booth come into sight.
I got the same feeling when we were out in the evening. We passed obvious “ladies of the night” and were accosted by hawkers and street vendors. Some even continuing to follow us after we said no thank you. I was just very uncomfortable. In all my travels I have never felt this way anywhere else.
On the plus side we had a nice time riding the steam boat up the Muddy Mississippi and the aquarium was great. Our trip into the bayou got rained out. That was disappointing but even with the pouring rain we got to the Court of 3 Sisters for an amazing, elegant dinner. So I can’t say New Orleans was a total loss, just not someplace I’m anxious to return to anytime soon. I’m sure that comes as a surprise to many. I know all my friends said I would love it. Maybe once I’ve seen all of the other states I’ll go back for that missed trip into the bayou.
Rain Forest Exhibit, New Orleans Aquarium
I love the ambiance in the picture of the altar. On another hand having that feeling of uneasiness when you walk around in an unknown city is very disturbing. I had it to some extend when I walked around in Cape Town last month, not nice.
I’v never been to Cape Town. But I agree that having that “uneasy feeling” puts a damper on the experience.
I think the uneasy feeling was the part of the city we were in. Bourbon Street at night was not the nicest place to be at night as far as I am concerned.
I really don’t know. I’m not familiar enough with New Orleans to know what is consider a good neighborhood or bad. I just didn’t like the “vibe”