Hello, Louisiana!!

Saturday, July 30: New Orleans, Louisiana 

transit at Houston Airport

We had to wake up at 3am that day, because at 4 we had to left for the airport. It was a total mess, because we arrived from Arlee a bit late the previous night and had to finish packing, then we still had to clean our rooms until it looks as clean as when we first arrived, and threw away everything in the fridges and kitchen. Most of us did not get proper rest that night, so it was hard for some of us to wake up in time, and get ready before finally the bus picked us up. When we rushed to get things done in our last hours in Miller Hall, we did not have time to be sad; but right after the bus left Miller Hall's front yard everyone suddenly quiet because we already felt that Missoula is our home, and we never know if we will return there someday. The trip to New Orleans took us two transits, first in Denver and then in Houston. It was tiring, because we had to move and walk a lot in a gloomy mood across the huge airports that we stopped by before finally we landed in New Orleans that evening.

Street Brass-Band at Bourbon Street

If Missoula is almost the northernmost place in the US, New Orleans is one of its southernmost, and it is the most humid city there. Been adjusted to Missoula which is quiet, not so dense, green, and whose people are very caring, we were a bit shocked with the view of African-American people that dominates the population, the city was so hot and humid, lots of bars everywhere, and the people are not as nice as in Missoula.

That evening we walked to a very famous street in New Orleans called Bourbon Street. Many places in New Orleans are named in French, there is even a French Quarter, because Louisiana used to be a colony of France. In Bourbon Street there are hundreds of bars, cafes, and restaurants that people enjoy. There are also street musicians, dancers, and artists. This street is well known as a street where people party all night.

Sunday, July 31: Free Day

The free day is our only chance to explore the city. New Orleans has the largest insectarium and aquarium in the US, owned by the Audubon Society. That day we decided to visit the insectarium first. Insectarium is like a museum, but everything is about insects. There were panels with informations and replicas of insects from different species and places in the world. That place was totally awesome, and I wished we have one like that too in Indonesia. Of course we have zoos, Animal Museum, or Safari Park, but the educational and interactive facilities are far below the insectarium's. We also tried the 4D theater in there.

Audubon Insectarium, New Orleans

In the afternoon, we had a city tour in a bus with a tour guide. We visited many interesting spots in New Orleans, and finished near a park by the Mississippi River.  Then the group split up and we went our separate ways to explore the city. The next day was the first day of Ramadhan (fasting month), and four of us was going to fast, so we purchased some food for our early morning meal (sahur).