Free Day Inner Journey

Getting to explore the busy city of New Orleans on my own terms was wonderful. I enjoyed being able to stop at places that I wanted to stop at and not have to hurry and be scheduled the whole day. This has been a lot of walking during trip so it was nice to take it a little slower. Exploring the city on my own has taught me that I really am horrible at directions and remembering where to go. I am glad that I am with friends who are better than I am, to be the guide. The city spoke to me today through art. I absolutely loved being able to check out all the street art for sale. I find the art that people do absolutely beautiful and impressive. I got to talk with one of the artists in person. His name was Alan Zakem, he travels around the world and photographs scenery and nature as his career. I found all of his pieces completely stunning, that I bought one. I also experienced art of the city by watching the parade start off  Mardi Gras, or as it is called in New Orleans, The Carnival. They did a whole set celebrating Joan of Arc's 100th year of being a Saint. She is known as a national heroin of France by the age of 18, but the English claimed her a heretic and burned her at the stake a year later. They realized that they made a mistake because she helped free France from the English in the Hundred Years War, and now she is a celebrated every year and remembered for all the great she had done. The parade was full of people all dressed up in masks, costumes, knights and saints. The sidewalks are filled with people celebrating, playing music, drinking, and being themselves. It was so awesome to be apart of. My friends and I dressed up as well in mardi gras colors and bought masks to wear while watching the parade to feel more apart of it. It was so much fun to watch and see how much the City puts into their celebration and how much fun everyone has. I love how much culture there is and how people can just be more open and different here and it is not as noticed or frowned upon. It made me happy to get to see the different culture and all the happy faces. 

Photos by me