This last week, I took a trip to Louisiana. I spent so much time “doing” so much stuff with my cousin and clients during that week, I wasn’t really able to sit and write my blog. So, I want to look back and share my experiences with you. I thought I’d just do one entry on the whole trip, but I think I might miss something interesting. Therefore, I will try to break it up a bit.

Thursday, June 18th was my travel day. My husband took me to the airport and dropped me curbside. Saying good-bye was kind of difficult, but we managed. He gave me all kinds of words of caution… trying to make sure I stay safe. Since I don’t travel a lot and I don’t usually travel alone, these words were well heeded.

I found my gate easily enough and of course I didn’t use my camera to share any of that ‘fun.’ Sorry about that. The waiting area at my gate was packed. (Of course, I was 90 minutes early, so all these people were for an earlier flight.) I sat down to read my book but found it difficult to stay in my story because of all the people. It’s interesting to see how people just have to talk to you even though they can see you’re busy… frustrating! However, I met some really nice people. One woman who sat next to me was an Army Reserve commander. She and I hit it off well. She told me of all her tours that either she or her husband or daughter have done in the service. It was very interesting hearing her stories. Then she asked me what I do. So we got into my life a bit. I told her that I home school my boys and am a web designer. Both those topics always get conversation going. So finally, as she began to leave for her plane, she asked me for my business card. She wants to hook up with me when she comes back to Tucson. I hope she does!

My plane was PACKED! There was no extra seats for me to change to so I had to sit right over the wing. I really don’t like the wing. I know, some would say that the wing is the safest place on a plane. I don’t buy it. First thing, the wing is where all the fuel goes… very explosive. Second, when you hit turbulence, NEVER watch the wing! All I could do while flying over Arizona & Texas was white-knuckle it. It wasn’t pleasant seeing the wing flopping up and down in the turbulence. I did learn something from a passenger in my row… We saw a lot of puffy clouds in the sky. He explained that the heated air from down below and the cool air from 33,000 feet up create the turbulence and the clouds. So every time we ‘hit’ a puffy cloud, the wing would flutter and we would feel the ‘bumps.’

The passenger next to me saw that I was attempting to read my book…. She saw the title and got all excited because she thought I was reading Stephenie Meyer’s series, “Twilight.” I wasn’t. I was reading Laurell K. Hamiliton’s Merry Gentry series. I was reading her second book, “A Caress of Twilight.” However, that spun us into conversations about Stephenie Meyer and her books… Needless to say, the passengers next to me and the $6 beer that I consumed all helped take my mind off the ‘bumps’ in the air.

Dallas Fort Worth airport was not an unpleasant experience. I found the gate number that I was to be at, got to their tram and went around the airport only to hear my gate number had changed. Thank goodness I didn’t have to get on the tram again. I got a quick lunch and was off again in the air.

Landing in New Orleans airport seemed uneventful for the most part… I figured, I’d get off the plane, find my baggage, and then look for my ride. Little did I know that my host, Dianne de Las Casas, Author & Storyteller, along with her daughter Eliana (Eliana Cooks) were waiting for me at the end of my terminal. They donned me with 3-strands of Mardi Gras beads and had a huge poster welcoming me to New Orleans. (Anyone who really knows me, knows that I don’t like to draw attention to myself. So, I could feel myself blushing when I received all this attention.) I had TSA guards smiling and waving at me when they saw the welcome.

After getting my baggage, we walked out the door to go to the car. It was at that point that I realized what humidity really was! Yes, gasped! I had to relearn how to breath. OMG where are my gills… or my snorkel! It was 95 degrees and about 50% humidity! It was just as hot in New Orleans as it was in Tucson, but in Tucson, its a dry heat! Everyone laughed at me…

Once we arrived at Dianne’s home, we took just a little time to “breath” (haha) and take pictures of her beautiful home before dinner. They took me to Zea Rotisserie & Grill where I enjoyed an excellent dinner of St. Louis Style Spare Ribs, Roasted Corn Grits, Thai Snap Beans, and a diet COKE (NO PEPSI PRODUCTS). Obviously, the only fault of the meal was the drink… but what can I say, I wasn’t there for the drink!

After dinner, I was way too full, but everyone else wanted dessert. So we went to a yogurt bar called CherryBerry. We met up with the rest of Dianne’s family and visited the rest of the night. It was so much fun to be with my family. I hadn’t seen them for over 30 years!

Left to Right: Eliana, Camrynn, ME, Jasmynn, Ashlynn

I haven’t seen my Aunt Josie in over 30 years… It was so exciting to see her again! I loved our time together Aunt Josie!!

Dianne's mom and my Aunt Josie

Dianne's daughter Soleil, her husband Antonio, & ME

Dianne's daughter Eliana

Now, once everyone left, I found my way to my room at Hotel de Las Casas!

My room in my "Hotel" -- Isn't it gorgeous?

The service at Hotel de Las Casas was incredible. The room service was excellent… Every morning my bed just appeared made and the room organized… Every night there was turn down service and a chocolate on my pillow! How cool is that!!!

– More Later!

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