Nawlins.

Did I mention that Jamie and I had our 5th wedding anniversary last weekend?  As it was the first wedding anniversary where we were not attending someone else's wedding, we booked a flight and made it over to New Orleans.

Interestingly, on the flight over we ran into a friend from high school also going to New Orleans...Jamie had actually known her since elementary school.  It was great to catch up with her...and be given the opportunity to apologize for how disgustingly schmoopy we must have been in high school.  In the tradition of Jamie knowing everyone in DC, we also ran into two other couples he knew on our flight.  Such a social butterfly, that one.

We arrived in New Orleans on Saturday morning and it was already sweltering.  Fortunately, our hotel was wonderful and centrally-located so we were able to explore the French Quarter while still being able to retreat back and get a much-needed AC break.

Our first day there, we noticed there wasn't much of a line at the famous Cafe du Monde and stopped in for some beignets.

We also ventured out to the bayou and got to see some Louisiana wildlife up close.

We did lunch a Commander's Palace -- somehow, forgot to take pictures -- and stopped by the Lafayette Cemetery.  

Before I managed to evaporate in the heat, we did get to walk around the beautiful Garden District and see some of the famous homes.  My favorite was the Benjamin Button house.

As one of the ways to duck out of the heat after walking around the Garden District, we took the trolley back to the French Quarter and stopped in the Audubon Aquarium.

There are so many things that I didn't manage to get pictures of.  There were Po'Boys, Jazz on the streets and in clubs, Bourbon Street debauchery (not mine), so many excellent meals, and of course, lots of time spent with Man Boo.

Despite the 5-hour delay getting back, I wouldn't have changed a thing about our trip...