St. Louis Hotel, French Quarter, New Orleans
I'm sitting waiting for Benjamin my couch surfing friend to pick me up. I'm in the hotel's front lobby. Well it's more of a courtyard with a beautiful fountain, circular rod iron tables and green plants. The colour of the hotel is a pale peach. So nice! I stayed my first night at St. Louis Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It's morning and already humid here which makes a beautiful day a) coming from the Canadian climate and b) going sailing for the first time!
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| Benjamin picking me up with his Catamaran to go sailing! |
Video Taken Waiting For Taxi To Airport YYZ
My Ride Coming To The Airport
Coming to New Orleans was a repeat of going to Cuba last month. I flew at the exact time in the morning, 6:30 a.m. I worked the night before leaving same as before. I had a taxi scheduled to pick up up at 3:30 a.m. just like Cuba. This time instead of an Indian taxi driver, I had a Pakistani driver for my ride to YYZ. The same questions were asked. Where are you going? Are you meeting people? Why are you traveling alone? What is couch surfing is the best question in trying to give a response and having them not think you are crazy! Explaining to an older generation. Well actually it could be for a generation now that is not as open-minded. How do you trust? Aren't you scared? They were all normal questions that people ask when discovering couch surfing.
I explained how on Couch Surfing there are just over 2.5 millions users. Everyone has their own profile just like on Facebook. You can have pictures, referrals given, people can write about their experience surfing with you. You can be a verified member meaning you have given a donation to the site and they verify your address. I have done it three times already and have had a positive experience with all of them in Madrid, Cambrils ( Outside of Barcelona) and Havana. Mind you, it's always good to be cautious. For example if someone has no pictures, profile picture,friends or references then I wouldn't suggest contacting them. The site has attracted 2.5 million open minded travelers. :) The driver said I had a nice soul and wished me a safe trip.
At the airport, I couldn't seem to see my flight with Air Canada on the departure list of of flights to Chicago. I asked a worker from Air Canada and he said it's with United and should be written on my ticket. NOPE! lol I waited in line and paid $25 Can to check in my small suitcase. If I didn't have liquids more than 100ml, I could have taken it on board. There was no way I was going to risk throwing about my Dr. Bauuman skincare. lol Screw it! pay the $25! Then I waited in line for US customs and man it was packed! It took foreverrrrrr!
The best part in US Customs is when I reached the officer and he started asking me questions. Where are you going? I replied New Orleans via Chicago. She he asked business or personal. I tell him personal. He asks why? LOL What a silly question I am thinking. To explore New Orleans. lol and then he asks me if I am meeting anyone and I tell him no. I don't want to go into the Couch Surfing story again. And then he asked me what I do for a living and I told him I am a Life Coach and I help people with their dreams. HA HA He probably thought I was a weirdo!
I was so happy to sleep 1.25 hours to Chicago. I slept the entire time. I'm making it sound like I was on the flight for such a long time. :P When I got off, I saw a poster of Oprah which was fitting as it's her home. The connection time was 2 hours for New Orleans. I grabbed a coffee from Starbucks and opened my phone. Yeah I got a data plan with Rogers. lol not like Cuba!
I wanted to sleep the entire flight to New Orleans, but I just couldn't! Something just wouldn't let me. Excitement? Anticipation? Over tired? lol As soon as I got to New Orleans, I could feel the humidity. Crazy how only a few hours away could be so cold! I was enjoying it .... mmmmm relish the warmth on my skin. I heard jazz in the airport. That was sooooo nice! It sounds like a romantic place! Love it! Many signs welcoming me to New Orleans. Why thank you Universe!!! xoxoxoxoxo
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