tell me how all this, and love too, will ruin us

_{And what’s different in New Orleans?
Because New Orleans has created such unique cultural art in terms of music and dance, and it’s a very idiosyncratic culture, it shows the value of what the American melting pot is capable of. It does it in a way that is visual and musical and demonstrable, and it does it in the fucking street every day. Somehow this city is trying to find a way to endure while the political essence of the country doesn’t give a fuck. That, to me, is a fascinating dynamic.}

_{—David Simon}

An inventory of comestibles consumed:

• Dark’n’Stormies (lost count)
• The St. Claude (2) _{(old New Orleans Cajun spice rum, maraschino, lemon, cherry)}
• Pimm’s Cup (2)
• The Blanche Dubois (2) _{(fresh strawberries, Death’s Door gin, mint, curacao)}
• Beignet (1.5)
• Cold-Smoked Chickpea Hummus
• Cajun Bubble and Squeak _{(bacon, cabbage, and shrimp with grits)}
• Red Neck Eggs _{(Fried green tomatoes with poached eggs and hollandaise)}
• Muffaletta 

Average # of Hours Slept: 4

Things Declared Haunted by Amanda:

• Our house
• The city
• A drink

Number of Impromptu 2nd Line Parades Joined: 1

Number of Fried Chicken/Drivethru Daquiri Stops on the way to the Gulf: 3

Price of a 10-Foot Tall Portrait of Drew Brees: $6000

Fun Fact: During the Yellow Fever Plague of 1853, New Orleans shot cannonballs into the air in order to “disperse the atmosphere”

Official Song of Trip: “Night Moves” by Bob Seger

Miles bicycled: 20

Flat tires: 2

Best Quotes:

• “Someday I’ll get to San Francisco. You ever see those sea lions? I love those little guys. Whenever I see a picture I just want to pinch their cute little faces off.”—Bob, swamp tour guide, ex-Marine
• “Can I get this bacon in a go-cup?”—Ashley

Number of cute English major-turned Physics teacher-turned windshield engineers from Tennessee I met and roamed around with til dawn: 1

Terms I Had to Explain:

• Cajun
• Creole
• Who Dat
• Sissy Bounce
• Neutral Ground

Chances I will move back to New Orleans someday: 68%

_{Previously in New Orleans}

_{Previous trip statistics}