Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21-- COMPLETED!!! 6/3 About This Page:

[RobDVC]

Looks great! Can't wait to see some more pictures. It kinda looks the same as it did when I was there in 1995.

[clio]

Great start, Sarah. Your pictures are great, too. I've never been to New Orleans. Can't wait to read more.
Liz

[DrDolphin]

Great updates Sarah!! Pics are great too! Miss Em looks like she was loving them beads!!!

[Cam22]

We visited New Orleans about 10 years ago and loved the city. Since Hurrican Katrina I have wondered how it was surviving -- beyond what the news relays to us! Great report!

[statelady01]

I love the photo of St. Louis Cathedral. Great report, more please!

[DopeyGirl]

An educational morning and a rockin’ night!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


<font color="purple">The next morning, we got up and around then headed to the National D-Day Museum. Being that it was Armed Forces Day, lots of things were going on there that day. We weren’t sure EXACTLY where it was, but we knew which direction to go at least! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] I posted stickers and posters along the way again along the way and before we knew it, we had come upon the museum. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Across from the main entrance was a really cool mural of the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima on the wall . . .



When we got inside, we headed to the Information booth to get our tickets. Active Duty military and their spouses were $6 each, as were kids aged 5-12 . . . we told the lady behind the counter what we needed and she was having trouble with the computer system, so she gave us complementary tickets. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/flag.gif[/img]

A volunteer (and WWII nurse) gave us each a sticker that would act as a handstamp normally would, gave us maps of the museum and Emilie got a “treasure hunt” sheet to look for certain artifacts. That kept her attention pretty well while we were there.

We made our way up to the 2nd floor, which focused on the goings on in the Pacific during World War II . . . then headed downstairs to the coffee shop to get a little snack (neither of us had really eaten breakfast), then it was back up to the 3rd floor which focused on the Normandy invasion and the European involvement in the war.</font>




The enigma . . . a cipher machine used to encrypt and decrypt messages (most widely known usage of the enigma was by Nazi Germany before and during the war)




A bit blurry . . . but here is WWII Barbie . . . I mean, Emilie trying on a WWII battle helmet in the gift shop. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

<font color="purple">After we had seen our way through the whole museum, we headed downstairs where they were having an Armed Forces Day celebration . . . complete with jambalaya and croissants for all. So, we had a little snack. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Then it was back to the hotel for a bit and then out to find some lunch. We settled on a Quiznos a block away from the hotel and got some sandwiches, then headed back to the hotel so that I could get ready to head to the show. I was supposed to be meeting the team at 4:15, but got a call saying “the guys are hanging out with the rest of the team outside of the bus . . . where the heck are you?” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blushing.gif[/img] Oops . . . I guess I didn’t think about coming any earlier than we had all agreed on! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]


It didn’t take me long to get ready and we were on our way. Mike and Emilie walked with me to the House of Blues so that I didn’t get lost. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Probably a good thing too, because I would have!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

We got there and everyone was standing outside of the bus, minus the guys who had to head in to eat and start getting ready . . . well, that and Jared had just gotten over strep throat, Shannon and Tomo both had really bad colds and Matt was feeling pretty yucky. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Once I was with everyone else, Mike said he and Emilie were going to go wander around a bit and as they walked off, Emilie started bawling . . . she was honestly SO upset that she couldn’t go see the guys. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] (Mike says that they went and toured an Army Corps of Engineers ship that was in port and they wandered around looking at “stuff” . . . and had dinner and a Frosty at Wendy’s [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] )

Anyhow . . . we had a 4:30 dinner reservation for 12 people inside the House of Blues, so we headed inside and had dinner and drinks. I had a burger and fries and could only eat about ¾ of the burger and 3 or 4 fries . . . I was STUFFED! It was nice getting to know everyone else in person! It was really much like a PassPorter meet! I have talked online with most of these peoples for months and months and months, but most of them I have never met . . . until that night! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] The majority of the people on the team that came for dinner were from Texas . . . one girl came from Chicago and then there was my friend Jess and I, who represented Pensacola, FL! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]</font>


Andrea (from Chicago) and I at dinner . . .


The whole group of us at dinner . . .


CONTINUED IN NEXT POST . . .

[DopeyGirl]

. . . CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST . . .


<font color="purple">When you are attending an event in the music hall at the HoB and you have eaten in the restaurant, you get the “Pass the Line” privilege. Essentially, it is like a FastPass to get into the concert! All you have to do is show your receipt at the door with your ticket and you are good to go! So, once we were done with dinner, the 12 of us headed out and joined the “Pass the Line” line and waited until they started letting us in at 7pm! </font>


Crystal, Anne, Andrea (laying down), Lisa, Jess, some guy and Cassie waiting to go in

<font color="purple">The main reason we all decided to go for dinner beforehand was that we wanted up front . . . yeah, one reason was that we knew we weren’t going to have dinner otherwise, so why not eat there, skip the regular (LONG) line, get in there first and right up front where the guys want us all to stand anyways? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] They like us all to be right up front because they like to have those familiar faces right there in front of them . . . they want “family up front”. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] And we were! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]

The first band that was supposed to come out was called Keating . . . they evidently had trouble reading their MapQuest directions and got lost. So, 30stm’s roadie Buck came out and sang some really silly songs and played the guitar to waste some time . . . then their merchandise guy came out (who really IS a musician) and sang a few of his songs. His name is Collin Cable and he is a TOTAL cutie . . . and the young ‘un has a bright musical future ahead of him! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

After Collin had sang, the next group, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, came out. I really like them! They are really nice kids from Jacksonville, FL . . . and I had a nice talk with the lead singer, Ronnie, after the show was over. He even personally delivered their demo CD to me and kept reminding me to get their debut album when it comes out on July 18th . . . I promised him I will! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

After RJA came Men, Women &amp; Children . . . and I honestly do NOT know how to describe these guys . . . I just don’t. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Their music was rock with a disco-y dance vibe to it . . . and the guys all dressed really, um, 70’s and 80’s . . . [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] And they had a bubble blower machine . . . [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] At the beginning of their set, I was in hysterics because the shock of the way they dressed and the “different” music made me laugh . . . by the end, I was in hysterics because their set was so much FUN!!!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] I have had their song “Dance in my Blood” stuck firmly in my head for a solid week . . . it just won’t go away! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

After the hilarity that was MWC, came our boys in 30 Seconds to Mars . . . they came out on stage and Jared threw roses out to some of us in the front row (I didn’t get one [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] ) and then, as usual, they put on a fantastic and passionate performance. All too soon, it was all over. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] So we made our way out to the buses and hung out for a little while . . .</font>


My friend Cassie, taking a picture of Buck the roadie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


Jared . . . I am not sure he can make a normal face when faced with a camera. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]


My friend Lisa (from Texas) and I . . .


The Leto boys (Shannon and Jared)


Shannon and I


Jared and I

<font color="purple">The Texans had gone through a McDonald’s before their trip to NOLA and gotten a Happy Meal, evidently, because they brought along their mini-Build-A-Bear to the show (mini BAB’s were the current McD’s toys). They named him “Concert Bear” and said he goes to all the concerts that his owners go to and has his photo taken with the members . . . he even has his own myspace page. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] There is actually a running joke about bears with Tomo, but in order to understand the joke, you would have to see the band’s new video . . . and maybe “The Shining” too. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] So, anyways, the guys (minus Matt, who was inside the bus “not feeling well”) had their pictures taken with Concert Bear . . . and I thought they came out HILARIOUS . . . </font>


Poor pitiful Tomo with the CB


Jared with the CB


Shannon . . . looking scared of the CB

(The next day, on the way home, we drove through McDonald’s and Emilie’s toy was Concert Bear’s “cousin”, so we have our own pics with CB . . . and they are on his myspace page now too! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img])



<font color="purple">Around 1:30am, everyone started heading their separate ways . . . a bunch of the Texans headed back to their hotel, the Leto boys headed into the bus to get some sleep and, evidently, a group of people went to Bourbon Street and Matt and Tomo joined them . . . I kicked myself for not staying out a bit longer, but I was pretty much out by the time my head hit the pillow once I got back to the room around 1:45am!</font>


COMING UP NEXT: Up and at ‘em . . . the USS Alabama . . . and “What do you mean Ginger’s ripped again!?”

[WDWfan]

Sarah - Sounds like you had a great day! I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] concert bear!

[ariel14]

I'm so glad I found this TR.
I'm glad you had such a great time @ the
concert!!

[chezp]

Another great day, I'm loving learning all about the Big Easy and the things to do there! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Sarah [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[RobDVC]

Glad to hear you had a fun time at the concert!

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Sarah!!! Sounds like a blast at the concert, I feel so bad for Emilie though. Love the pictures of the concert bear!! What is his website by the way so I can see the pics??

[poohsgirl]

[ QUOTE ]
<font color="purple">

This one was for Angie . . . [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] . . . we didn’t stop in to get anything to eat because it was VERY busy, but we still walked by. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
<font color="purple">

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="purple">They are open 24/7 ya know![img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img]
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Those drinks were pretty expensive. Gotta look for those cheap testtube shots!

And yes, Bourbon St. is a tight squeeze during Mardi Gras! Very condusive to gettin' "friendly"!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] </font>

[disneyfan2183]

I love your report! And I know the bear joke with Tomo! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] More please!