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.