Pop-pop-pop-pop.
I am not Uptown. I took a gamble on kismet and met up with Consuela. Happiness loves company, and, really, what day in New Orleans would be complete without a pleasant surprise? Hello, Consuela.
The secret to happiness is low expectations. I predict smooth sailing during the day ahead. Today is the feast day of St. Cyril of Jerusalum. I doubt there will be St. Cyril parades today, but, one never knows. Most Saturdays are a Jell-O fruit salad.
I think St. Cyril’s Day is a feast that is observed only by the Church. Everyone else needs a break between St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Night. Life is hectic in New Orleans at this time of year.
I am supplementing my usual Uptown detective work with a conversation Downtown. Consuela lives two blocks off Freret Street. She is describing the lay of the land. She likes that Freret Street is real city living. Consuela are not meeting Uptown. I do not want to keep one eye on the front door the whole time.
New Orleans does not always look like a real city but it is a real city. To live in New Orleans is more than a fever dream come true.
New Orleans is a real city. New Orleans is not like any other city. I mean that in the best possible way, including the mold, the rot, and everything else that merits a blind eye.
Regular readers know that my days run in well-worn grooves with occasional detours to chase a whim or a skirt. It is nice to change scenery. It is nice when acquaintances from other parts of New Orleans get reacquainted after long absences. New Orleans is a kaleidoscope.
From where I sit the room is a sea of heads bobbing with potential epiphanies that will never blossom. Such is the way of the world. Guy Fieri eats here when he is in New Orleans.
I want to take the time to make a profound observation. I also want to really get you up to speed on what is going on in my part of New Orleans. Wait a minute. I have to put up the paywall.
Before I do that, I want to talk to Shirley about her sandal. She is wearing a tennis shoe on her other foot. You free subscribers should really get behind the paywall. The more of us there are, the merrier. This is New Orleans.