This is the season when the gypsy in my soul rebels against adulthood and the need to stay put. Usually, I'm packing up my car so that on the last day of school, I can say goodbye to my students and just take off for a week or two. This year, though, I don't get to say farewell to my kiddos the right way and I'm not packing up my car to go find the next amazing sight, but instead I'm loving finding new, more simple adventures with my person, refurbishing, hiking nearby forests, and, hopefully, camping closer by. Luckily, just before being a responsible and caring human meant staying home or wearing a mask, Mr. Handsome took me on a Valentine's Day adventure~ the memories serving to tide me over until the next one. An on-the-fly response to, "What is one place you've always wanted to explore?", New Orleans became our weekend get away. This is a charming city brimming with tradition and fraught with twisted history, full of friendly and proud people, eager to share their community and culture. Very walkable and seemingly safe, New Orleans' attitude is Laissez les bons temps rouler! Spontaneous second lines, street musicians, and a vibrant food scene create the stereotypical party atmosphere that The Big Easy is known for. But, the images of litter laden avenues and grimey, rat-infested whistle stops are sadly misconstrued. In fact, we both noted that we'd never seen a city invest more time and energy into keeping the streets clean and tourist-friendly. Starting a new tradition, we got up before the city woke to wander the abandoned streets and explore the historic landmarks. Hearing a city's heartbeat and gazing onward and as the sun gently wakes quickly became our favorite way to view and feel a brand new place. Sure, I've fallen for a world traveler who has lived abroad and explored exotic places; I have experienced Kerouac- esque expeditions. Yet, this simple weekend getaway with its strolls through spanish moss and ornate courtyards is my all time favorite trip and will keep my wanderlust satiable while I wait for the world to safely reopen.
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