Torrential rain, millions of people, music, horse-drawn carriages, Lucky dog carts, a strange lady who lay on the couch all day and decorated with red shear draperies and rented out rooms: It must be wonderful, fabulous New Orleans!  Yes and I was lucky enough to be there for the Music Festival, not to be confused with the Jazz Festival or any other weekly festival that seems to happen there. I started inquiring about a place to stay the day before I left Natchez (not too smart) and was shocked to not find anything available because of the music festival. Determined to go to one of my favorite places I did something I never do and will probably never do again, I made arrangements online to stay in a private home with another lady. The 300 lb. lady was very sweet and did seem disappointed that I did not need her suggestions as to where to go and what to see because I was not a first time visitor. My room was not bad because I had all new bedding. In fact she proudly told me that I was the first one to use it. But the room was not very big and it was crammed with STUFF. There was not even room for me to leave my suitcase open. I did try to gently advise her that as an experienced traveler I would rather have more room that dusty nic nacs. In the tiny apartment she had red shear drapes dividing the kitchen and dining room from the living room. Every inch of the walls had pictures and she was very proud of her most decorative achievement: The Hollywood room which was the bathroom. All counter space was covered with star's pictures and there was even a vintage dress and gloves attached to the wall. There were heavy drapes hiding the bathtub and shower which smelled like mildew. I used my Clorox wipes but the stay was quite unsettling. The music was fabulous and I walked miles to admire the old houses and parks. I visited the Edgar Degas house. The interesting tour was led by one of his relatives. His paintings done while he visited from France captured New Orleans life. My last day was sunny and beautiful. I spent hours in the Metairie Cemetery taking pictures of all the beautifully sculptured statues and tombs.  As usual

I cannot wait to go back.

I meet the nicest people in Graveyards.  They are usually women walking their dogs or keeping loved one's graves tidy. It happened again in Natchez. I was taking a break from touring houses.  Meandering around the Natchez City Cemetery, a lady walking her two dogs saw me reading the epitaphs and starting pointing out humorous and unusual writings on certain graves.  She was about my age and after she gave me the low down on the most interesting graves to see she told me a little about herself and hoped I did not mind that she popped into my evening to give me a tour. I assured her it was welcomed and appreciated. Later she invited me to dinner in two days time and she would introduce me to a couple of her friends who owned a bed and breakfast there. Later I received an email from her confirming the time and her address for the little dinner party. My dinner companions turned out to be pleasant, genuinely nice people who all had  good senses of humor. I got to see the absolutely beautiful bed and breakfast. My hostess had a pretty home right on Main St. Natchez. I ended the evening with a walk with her and her cute little dogs. I would be leaving Natchez soon and she was getting ready to go on a trip so we said goodbye. Maybe we will be in touch in the future even if its just a emailed HI.  So don't rule out including graveyards in your itinerary. You will not only see beautiful sculptures and stately trees but get an idea of what was going on in certain years whether it was the plague or TB or war. Some were victims of mine disasters and some were mortally hurt on cattle drives. Graveyards are a wealth of information and art. I meet people usually in the early evening. I never see very many people during the day in a cemetery. If you walk in the  late evening I can't guarantee the person you might be talking to is of real flesh and blood!
New Orleans is next ....