Circles within Circles!

The time finally came to say our goodbyes to our dear friend who was an excellent guide and ambassador for her city and the surrounding area.

On our final evening after another full day of the sights and sounds in New Orleans, we joined Laury at her home for some delicitable nibbles, a good bottle of wine and an evening of tintalating conversation.

                            

                        

We met some interesting people both real and not so real.

The butcher, the baker but not the candlestick maker ... the city is adorned with masterful bronze sculptures.

                             

And a new circle of friends, circles within circles which leads to the story of how we met Laury!

Of course, there is a "French Connection"!

         

In 2012 shortly (within a month or so) after our return from our first ever long stay of three months in Gourdon, France which was a truly amazing experience (magnifique!); we were already starting to plan our next adventure.

While searching the rental websites, we found a cute stone cottage named "Beaucaillou" in the small village of Dégagnac located only 12 kilometres from the town of Gourdon.

Late July 2012 we sent an enquiry to the owner regarding the property's availability for an extended stay of three months in 2013.

The pictures, description and details on the website showcased a lovely property and it was located in the Lot Valley, one our favourite areas in France.

As we did not know much about the owner and property, etc. ... we "googled" the cottage and village name "Beaucaillou Dégagnac".

Our search results found a blog post that referenced "Beaucaillou" translation "Beautiful Pebble".

The post was titled "A "Beautiful Pebble" in Dégagnac" in a blog named "Soar-Dream-France".

Reading this post we got our first glimpse of the owner "Clare"  through a photo along with some history of her and the writer's friendship.

The writer being none other than "Laury".

Msr. Honey enjoyed reading the blog about Laury's French life and her other happenings. 

He followed it regularly and it became part of his morning ritual along with reading the daily newspaper.

Fast forward, we did rent Beaucaillou for the three months of April, May and June 2013 and actually met the owner ... and via email she introduced us to our "Belgian Connection" friends ...Madame M. and Msr. Guy ... another circle within a circle.                 

During our return trip in 2014, Clare invited us all for dinner at Beaucaillou.  

Over the course of the evening, Msr. Honey asked Clare "How is your friend who writes the blog?"

Clare responded "She's coming to visit next week."

The stars collided and the rest is history ... we finally met "Laury" in person at an alfresco dinner hosted by the Belgian Connection.

I have to tell you Msr. Honey expected to see Laury dressed in her "overalls"* but that was not the case that evening ... But she did not disappoint him when we arrived at her place on our first day in New Orleans. (*Only those that know Laury will understand this).

A big "Merci beaucoup!" Laury for sharing your time, friends, knowledge and the wonderful places in your "town" of New Orleans!

It is a small world after all!

On a Carousel!

Double decker carousel in France.

Time to find our way back to our hotel ... "Will we need to run for cover?"

         

We had walked many steps today and it would have been easy to opt for another mode of transport ... perhaps some pretty wheels or a private chariot...

"Going our way?"

                                                 

Our friend/tour guide wanted to show us one last place before we said our goodbyes ...

A quick walk through the luxury "Hotel Monteleone" to view the famous "Carousel Bar & Lounge" ... an amazing revolving bar. It is a 25-seat, colourful circus Merry-Go-Round.

                       

Our intentions were to just have a look around but the atmosphere appealed and we decided to satisfy our thirst in the whimsical surroundings ... all the seats on the Merry-Go-Round were occupied.

We found some comfortable seating in the lounge area with views of the "Carousel" enjoyed a drink, some quiet conversation and watched as the rain finally made it's appearance through the large fan windows overlooking the famous Royal St.

What an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon!

 "Riding along on a carousel, round and round, up, down, up, down" ... feeling like a kid in a hectic adult world!

Here's one of my favorite "Carousels" ... It is located in the square "Place Gambetta, Cahors, France".

The rain had subsided by the time we walked back to the hotel.

Ms. Laury retrieved her bicycle that had been safely locked up in the Hotel's storage room and she rode off with our promise to come by her home later in the evening!

 The day continued into the evening ...  see you soon! 

A bientôt !

    

Music and All That Jazz!

Music and New Orleans have a long history together. 

It was interesting to check out the creative window displays of musicians and their instruments.

We could hear the background sounds of music as we strolled the streets of the French Quarter and area and see the amazing bronze statues of the Marching Band players.

"I think music in itself is healing. 

It's an explosive expression of humanity. 

It's something we are all touched by. 

No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." ... Billy Joel

If you are lucky enough to arrive at the right time, you can enjoy some live music at The Market Cafe ... 

The instruments are set up waiting for the musicians ...

Or in Jackson Square ... I think this musician was taking a break from his set.

Can you hear the "beat" and "boom" of the music?

New Orleans is home to many music festivals throughout the year ... one that peeked my interest is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (this year's dates April 24th to May 3rd) that has an amazing lineup. 

Check it out at www.nojazzfest.com

As Plato stated ...

"Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything."

                                     Oh to dream!

Reflections on Art

We don't always see things the same way... It's not always "black and white" and there are a lot of grey areas in life.

Let's "face" it everyone sees things differently and there is always more than one way to look at something or someone whether it is a piece of art, a problem, a decision, a loved one, a treasured friend or stranger.

If we didn't it would be a boring life and the world that we live in would be a colourless, complacent place.

Do you see what I see?

    The gangs all here ...

                    

     And we are still altogether ... 

                                     

                                       

This is one of the art pieces that we viewed in the Sculpture Garden (New Orleans) titled ...

Stainless Steel. 

 I had always thought of stainless steel in the colour spectrum of black and white or more specifically  greys and silvers ... it wasn't until I got home and was looking at our photographs I saw all the colours just like a kaleidoscope!                                   

A Walk in the Park ... City Park!

#CityPark#SculptureGarden#SpanishMoss

After our first "Beignet" taste test at the Morning Call in City Park, we strolled through the park and visited the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.

It wasn't a bright, sunny day and a soft mist hung in the air with possible threats of rain.

The park was full of old oak trees dressed in Spanish moss.

                  

   

 

The Sculpture Garden is an absolutely wonderful part of the New Orleans Museum of Art.

The creative pieces of art are by various artists/ sculpters and funded by donations.

It is a peaceful garden that is home to some beautiful birds and waterfowl with surprises throughout.

The Tree of Necklaces, 2002 

                        

We met several characters as we strolled throughout the garden, there was a Cardinal, a drummer who had a canny likeness to Darth Vader, musicians and many more! 

If I lived in New Orleans this would be a favourite place that I would make part of my daily walks, a place to contemplate, reflect and feel close to nature.

                             

                       

    

                                          

 The installations are numbered, titled with credit to the artist and donor. 

There are many more sculptures to see. A must do if you are in New Orleans.

   

          

I "Love" this special place ...

Love was in the air ... at this photo session.