New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste le Moyne a French Canadian fur trapper. He named the site in honour of the Regent of France, Louis Phillipe, duc d'Orleans.
The original site of New Orleans was located on relatively high ground on a crescent shaped curve of the Mississippi River, giving rise the city's nickname "Crescent City"
My reason for visiting New Orleans was to receive the United States Continuing Education Association's Frandsom Book of the Year Award. The Award is named after Charles Frandsom, former Dean of Continuing Education at UCLA. The Award was presented to me by Sarah Steinberg, Dean of Continuing Education at John Hopkins University.
Running opportunities exist in New Orleans along the banks of the Mississippi
St. Louis Cathedral was established in 1718 and the present cathedral was dedicated in 1794. The cathedral became of the heart of the French Quarter.
In 1762 the French ceded the colony of Louisiana to the Spanish.
The French Quarter consists of seven by thirteen blocks of historic buildings that reflect a mix of colonial French and Spanish architecture.
Lacy iron balconies with flowers can be found throughout the French Quarter
Many of these buildings are currently being restored as expensive private residences
At the end of the war with Britain in 1812 Louisiana became a part of the United States. The people of New Orleans, under the leadership of General Andrew Jackson, fought one the last battles against the British.
Rumour has it that Jackson met with the notorious pirate Jean Lafitite at Pirates Alley to design the plan that defeated the British in the last major battle of the war.
Mementoes to the days of the pirates can be found throughout the French Quarter
Another resident of the French Quarter was Marie Laveau, the Creole Voodoo Queen
Some say that voodoo magic is still practiced throughout Louisiana
New Orleans is considered to be the birthplace of Jazz Music
Jazz clubs can be found throughout the city
Family jazz bands play on Royal Street in the French Quarter
And, along the sides of street sides in the French Market area
Tourism is now New Orleans number one source of income and curio shops can be found throughout the French Quarter
These shops sell everything from prailines to stuffed alligators
Street performers are on every corner of Jackson Square in the French Quarter
Artists hang their work for sale on park fences in the French Quarter
Bourbon Street in the French Quarter has a long history of night clubs
As the sun goes down the street is closed to traffic
People have dinner on the balconies in preparation for the nightly street party - in memory of the annual Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday before Lent)
Who knew that the original cocktails were also invented in New Orleans? A local pharmacist used to mix a potent brew of bitters and alcohol for his friends in the evening. The mixed drink was served in an egg cup called a "coquetier" which eventually became known as the cocktail.
Some people dress up for the street party
And, some people dress down
The Port of New Orleans is one of the busiest in the USA
Outside of the French Quarter the Hotel and Central Business District have become a major hub for the southern USA
To the west of the downtown core is the Garden District, which was built in the 1850's by American entrepreneurs and plantation owners who were not welcomed in the French Quarter by the Creole's living there.
This area is still one of New Orleans premier neighbourhoods.
Streetcars used to run throughout the city and Tennessee Williams (who lived in New Orleans) wrote his famous play "A Street Car Named Desire" about them
The Canal Street route takes visitors to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americans. This aquarium and the local zoo are named after James Audubon who wrote about the wildlife of Louisiana.
Numerous museums and art galleries are located in New Orleans including the National WWII Museum
Louis Armstrong, a Jazz Legend has a Park and the airport named after him.
The Mississippi Delta is definitely a force of nature and is continuously undergoing change has given rise to New Orleans other nick name the "Big Easy"
Hurricanes are more than just a famous drink in New Orleans. They have been an intricate part of life since the site of the city was first established (the original settlement endured a hurricane in 1718 - it's first year of existence).
A combination of hurricanes and below sea level elevation makes many parts of New Orleans very vulnerable to flooding. Much of the city outside of the Central Business District is still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina which took place in August 2005.
In the aftermath of Katrina, many of the levees around New Orleans broke with water levels rising over 12 feet in some neighbourhoods. Many people still have not returned to their homes.