New Orleans on my Mind

March was always an exciting month when I was growing up. Every year, my siblings and I would receive a package filled with beaded necklaces that shimmered violet, chartreuse and burgundy. Some of these baubbles had large gold coins (also refered to as "doubloons" in the French language, which describe the "Krew's emblem, name and founding date on one side and theme and year of the parade on the other).

My great-grandfather immigrated to the Big Easy from Russia before WWI. A few years later his family followed him which is one reason why Mardi Gras was a very familiar event in our family.

The stories that were told to me about Jackson Square , the Cabilldo and the French Quarter enhanced visions into my young mind. I attempted to imagine what a po’boy sandwich tasted like. I almost felt the vibration from the trumpets belting out the sound of jazz throughout the French Quarter. My visions were transformed to reality when I visited New Orleans with my mother and sister in 1996.

The tour guide was my great uncle Izzy, a native of the city. Uncle Izzy showed us sights that were off the beaten path and informed us of trivia that I have yet to see in any book. New Orleans – quite an eclectic blend of people, history, culture, food and antiques. The Spring Jazz Festival, the mysteries hidden inside the voodoo stores (which I did explore), rides along the Bayou , the famed landmark restaurants than have existed for over 100 years such as The Court of Two Sisters, Antoines, and the more recent establishments such as as Emeril’s. Dining on crawdads and ‘taters, gumbo, shrimp creole and pralines added zest (and calories) to this wonderful experience.

When I say, “My family is from New Orleans ” a smile graces across my face and I will always hold a special place in my heart for this City of Saints .