Vintage New Orleans

I didn’t have anything to do with planning the topic for this week, I promise.  This week I am traveling from Houston to Michigan to spend the month of June with my mother.  This July Mom will be 91, so I don’t think I should miss any opportunity to spend quality time with her.  I also am having the pleasure of traveling with Rosemary (RioRose) who left Brasil in September of 2009 but has remained a friend and, by another coincidence, is now living in Michigan.  Funny how the world moves in certain directions.  This last week she flew to Houston in order to ride shotgun on my drive to Michigan.  Her one request….. to see New Orleans.  Without much enthusiasm I agreed to go that direction.  First thing I see, a sign for a store called ‘Vintage’.  Okay so I went a little crazy.  What an opportunity.  Meet Vintage New Orleans: where French Provincial meets the Wild West.

For those outside the USA, those not familiar with our most historic Southern city, a bit of data is needed.  Officially founded in 1718, the city sits on the Mississippi delta.  The area has proven archeological sites that date back to 400 AD., with the French hunting and trading the length of the Mississippi River from around the 1690s.  There are blocks and blocks of vintage New Orleans. 

Sprinkled among buildings built in the 20th and 21st centuries are classically French buildings from the 18th and 19th century.  What a pleasure for me.  Many of the older buildings are in need of repair, of love and attention, but many have been lovingly restored.  The upper floors apartments and the lower, ground floors full of museums and crafts stores.  We saw hand painted masks, 5 artist rotating minding the store to show the merely curious and those enthusiastically shopping, how the motifs of the masks are designed and executed.  There was a shop full of looms with intricate rag rugs hanging on the walls and cats needing adoption lounging on every surface.  Vintage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage style from a time of wealth and influence. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found that in the 20 years or since I last visited this city, it has been upgraded and improved.  There is a new walkway along the river, a casino, and a huge aquarium, and I am sure much more.  Except for Bourbon street which I find a pretty disgusting thing to see, the city left me enthused, ready to return to further explore and enjoy.

To enjoy a few more photos click the link below.

New Orleans VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL