Its Raining, Its Pouring and No I'm not Snoring

Yesterday we traveled onto New Orleans from Birmingham. Guess what, another huge storm hit us and we had to drive for 3 hours in the deluge. Travelling at times as low as 50 MPH  (80 KPH) and back to 65mph when the rain allowed. Arrived in good time though at around 3pm only to learn that the Hotel valet parking service would take the car away to park it some 15 blocks away. So we had to unload all our gear before they whipped the car away. We have to give them some 30 minutes notice when we want the car.

We met up with Jim's family who are vacationing here and had a very good night with them. Terrific people who made me most welcome. I had to leave them early as I wasn't well, something that I drank I think. Jim says that the rest of the night was great and a good time had by all.

Today as if right on queue the heavens opened up once again and we had another majestic Thunderstorm complete with heavy rain and lightning. Much too heavy to go out into and it lasted over 2 hours. That's now over four days in a row we have been dumped on during the day with heavy rain.

Jim was due to go out for another walk but had to stay indoors and sit it out in the Hotels Foyer.

Seen extreme left there's Jim patiently waiting for the storm to abate.








Some others unfortunately not so lucky and having to load their cars in the rain as there is not a lot of parking for the guests cars.

Jim is taking a city tour later today and I will just stroll around the precincts close to the Hotel as I am a little off color today so won't stray far. Still photo's don't do the intensity of the storms justice. I have shot some Video which does show it more than does the still shots..

New Orleans or "Norleans" as the locals call it, especially in the French quarter is very seedy and run down, which is exactly like they want it to be.

Just a few more shots of the storm and the area around our Hotel. The hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of the French Quarter of  New Orleans and one can walk just about anywhere around the area.
Off to Vicksburg on the Mississippi River tommorow, lets hope that it doesn't rain yet again, especially when we are loading the car.

Right on cue as I sit writing this at 12.50pm or 3.52am your time, the Heavens have opened up yet again and its raining. Its not cold about 72 Degrees (21) which is just as well as the Hotels airconditioning has broken down. Not in the Hotel but in the rooms, ours included. Got the handy man up but he doesn't know what the matter is except it affects the entire guest rooms. Just as well its not humid at the moment.

I did pop out later in the day to look for some Jazz CD's just as the next big thunderstorm struck and got drowned, despite my buying a umberella which was a steal at $3.00 Like their more famous "Italian" cousins this one at least hung together until I returned to the Hotel after having quite a time finding it in the monsoon that was raging here in Norleans. According to the weather forecast they say this will last until Sunday. I hope not as we have to pack the car in the weather!!!!

BTW the air con is back on which is rather mixed blessings.

Will post soon Cheers

Neil W