Nawlins

I have returned from New Orleans.  We are currently in the midst of a wretched stomach bug that has struck all members of the family, me being the last victim.  I had to call off of work today (which I hate doing!) so anyway, I actually have some time to do a blog post...after trips to the bathroom and scrubbing the carpets from Owen's puke-fest.  Seriously, how do they manage to throw up in the most inconvenient places?
Anyways, enough grossness, let's get on to my trip and I'll try not to dry heave through the food pics...

The whole reason I was going was because my work generously offered to send myself and the two other girls who passed our orthopedic specialist exam.  They had an award ceremony for all the new board-certified specialist.  For those who don't know, I am an orthopedic specialist, but the ceremony covered all specialties-geriatric, pediatric, women's health etc.



Here Mom, my friend got my picture so you can see me get my award ha ha

After the ceremony, it was obviously time to eat.  I neglected to bring my camera for this event, but we got a recommendation to try this place called Mulate's.  The food was so good.  I had blackened mahi mahi with jambalaya and a beer of course.  They had live music and dancing as well, although after traveling and conferencing all day, I didn't have my dancing shoes on.

The next day was mostly filled with attending classes at the conference, which were very good.  We had some shrimp po boys for lunch, and continued on with exploring the city later that night

We around on these trolleys.  It was very convienent.

We stopped for one of these and had some steaks for dinner.

The last day we ended up just exploring the French quarter before we had to get back to the airport.  By the way, it was about 37 degrees while we were there.  So much for Southern weather!
Here's a bunch of pictures...



This was behind a bar on Bourbon St.  It was so random to have this beautiful courtyard behind a bunch of bars and strip clubs.

The balconies were already decorated for Mardi Gras.  I wonder if they're like that all the time?

And we had to stop for beignets at Cafe Du Monde.  So good, but I couldn't finish them.

The city was interesting to see.  We heard some Katrina stories from the locals and it seems like many are still really recovering from it.  But in the words of our wise busboy..."it's only stuff, I'll just get more."
Oh yeah, and the boys were fine without me.