I: Steven Cunio

New Orleans 2003

March -- Sat 29th | Sun 30th | Mon 31st
April -- Tue 1st | Wed 2nd | Thu 3rd - Fri 4th | Sat 5th | Sun 6th | Mon 7th | Tue 8th | Wed 9th

Sat March 29th 2003 -- The Plane Trip
Took the plane from Manchester into Amsterdam, through Detroit and into New Orleans.

Turned up at Manchester airport the three hours early and was able to jump on an earlier flight to Amsterdam. Said my goodbyes to mum, dad and David. Was glad he didn't have to wait around for long and looked forward to getting an earlier flight back to see him over Easter.

Amsterdam.
Changed flight. Walked around airport to pass time for a few hours before slinking into one of the few easy chairs to let time pass by in comfort. Sat next to couple from Amsterdam going to Las Vegas.

Detroit.
I hate customs. Long hair ensures you will be sidelined to go the long route. If you want to smuggle just wear a suit -- you'll walk through. Baggage came off the plane. Unpacked and repacked.

New Orleans.
Touched down amidst turbulant conditions. Freja and John at airport. Got in car 9.30pm (now 3.30am back home). No sleep on plane. Apartment smells great. Cup of tea. Couch. Sleeeeeeppp.

Sun March 30th 2003 -- Brunos
Called mum to say I arrived. Forgot to say happy mother's day but should be forgiven as did it before I left with present :) Asked her to let David know I'd touched down okay. Can't wait to go camping. Walk around neighbourhood with Freja after getting great omlette breakfast. Go to Brunos and sit with Josh barman. have Guninesses and Jack Daniels and cokes. Hey I'm on holiday! :)

Mon March 31st -- Cinema Day
Met Freida at cinema, one of John's relatives. Saw Chicago but wasn't impressed. Everyone else liked it though. Seemed to just glamourise lies and subterfuge as being totally acceptable. Oh well that's US society I guess. Had a grilled chicken sandwich at Dennys and lots of coffee. Seriously tired today, that woke me up. Home. On computer. Southern Comfort. :)

Tue April 1st -- French Quarter
Went down to the French Quarter. Walked down St Charles taking in the air, the light, the atmosphere. Hopped on Trolly and off on Canal St. Walked down to Missisippi. Hot sun beaming down. Past aquarium, kids chasing birds, a bum asleep, a blonde absently waving her legs and feet, a man playing harmonica all overlooking the river. Took off my jumper. Sat down for a little while.

Walked on past river boat and took photos for people back home. Into the French Quarter. Maspero's for a roast beef sandwich just like I remember. Onto the French Market but all the stuff is the same. For a hot chocolate in Pirate Alley Cafe but they have none. Settle for an english tea instead. Yes, with milk.

Anorexic girl stumbles past, drawn and thin. I turn to thinking. A bit morose. Visit Freja in the art gallery. Call Keula. Coming to meet me at 3.30 in Keuffers. I go to Flannagans where we met John, Freja's husband 3 years ago. Great rock jukebox. Two guinnesses later off to Keuffers. Great to see Keula again. Able to hook up over the next two weeks. Cool. Spirits lifted. Move on. Keula goes to work.

Back to freja. John picks us up. We head out to the fly overlooking the river. As the sun settles we eat wraps, chips and dip and drink amstel light. I take a few photos and Freja shoots one of me. Chilly we head home via Bruno's.

Meet Bridgette J&F's friend and barmaid. Jennifer bumps into John. Started new business. Wednesdays is men's day. Getting pedicure tomorrow. I wonder if they might need to practice daily! Head home. Good day out.

Wed April 2nd -- Pedicures!
Left house for late breakfast after checking email and updating this page. Ordered plate of pancakes. Must be small. Is that all I'm having? So order two eggs over easy. They come and they are huge and fluffy! Massive! About 12 inch diameter, just about manage 2 and i'm kept happy with coffee refills.

Not many people about. Starting to think I'm too out of it here. Wander back to the apartment stuffed and lie down lol! Sort myself out and wander up for the pedicure. Can't wear flipflops :( as rubbed on my toe. Stop at Rite Aid for liquid bandage and plasters. Get to the retreat and introduce myself. Jennifer, just out and about, returns and sets up for my pedicure. Can't wait. Soooo relaxing.

Go upstairs to huge massage chair and bubbling spa. First time I've ever done this. Feel chilled. First my nails are done, then an exfoliating foot rub, nails shone up, foot cream applied. Ahhh bliss. There's a men's day next Wednesday and I might just go along. I hope it's free! Get discount for knowing John and leave message in guestbook. Thank Jennifer. Back to flat.

Keula calls. Not out tonight but at weekend. Invite me round but become so knackered after beautiful beef pasta tea cooked by John that I crash in front of TV and call it a day.

Thu April 3rd - Fri April 4th -- Keula
Freret's cafe for breakfast again. Order a Roast Chicken Bomb. Is that all I want? This time yes thanks! It comes and it is enough. Tasty chicken in a spicy creamy sauce. Having loads of trouble with my flip flops rubbing with all the walking I'm doing. Walk barefoot for a while before putting my trainers on to go into town. Buy a pair of sandals for $16 at payless. They're okay. Just wonder where they're going to start rubbing!

See Freja at the shop and John's had a fender bender. A car accident folks. She gets off early and we head home. Car and John are both okay though front wheel arch is caved in. Just happened on the corner of the road. Luckily he had a witness. They pulled in and burst their tyre in the process. The guy was cool and lucky for John he pulled over as guy who ran into John wasn't going to admit it.

Me and John go out and take a detour at Brunos. We have a couple of Guinesses and play cricket on the darts. I win! Yippee! My shirt is sleeveless when we arrive but Bridgette freaks and wants me to get a t-shirt as there is a dress code. Right okay. I say nothing. I feel like walking out. She keeps going on about it even though she said she'd overlook it. Eventually she gives me a shirt. Which I put on but intend to leave on the bar when we go. John wants it though so I take it with us when we leave. Don't think I'll be taking my custom there again.

We get some beers from Rite Aid and head back. John cooks a fantastic pork tea with peas and pasta. It's a great combination and absolutely gorgeous.

I need a night out. Get ready. Head into town on the trolley. Walk the quarter, stopping in Hooters for the loo. Wlak the rest of the quarter and back down. Decide to look for Keula's work. She passes me on her bike. We walk back to hers and hook up with her flat mates and her brother.

A voodoo man makes a quick couple of dollars out of us and I get a little charm apple for my pocket. Okay. Meet Lawrence and Treula in another bar and hang out the rest of the night with them visiting bars and people in the neighbourhood - Voodoo Bar, The Abbey, The Hideout. Plenty of new faces.

Hang out with Keula for a little while longer while everyone else goes home. Take in another bar where 'Eddie Izzard' serves us drinks. In fact he's called Todd but he's cool.

Later we end up back at Lawrence's and I crash out on the couch. Next day everyone else is still up talking when I awake. Spend the morning sitting, chatting, looking through a huge birthday book. I sign it for them. Sit on the window sill in the sun. Start to read the art of war, a book people have in the past recommend I read.

Later go out with Keula before heading home. Meet a girl called Laura in the Hideout. From London and in New Orleans until her visa runs out in 3 months time. I get a coke. Keula chats with Chici, Lawrence's friend. I finish up and leave. Keula will be in touch about visiting Florida beaches for a couple of days. Cool.

See Freja. Pick up postcards at Walgreens and get a cheap rucksack for the potential visit to Florida. Head home. Get trolley half way but have to get off for a breather half way. Get back tired and weary. Look at my emails and take a shower.

Head out to cafe for tea with John and Freja. Have a fantastic Roast Lamb Lakash with paprika potatos. No way I can manage a full one but John and Freja polish theirs off.

When we get back I sleep. Now I feel like I really have arrived. :)

Sat April 5th -- Fortissimoos and Mayfair
Went down to fortissimo for breakfast. new orleans sandwich. walked up magazine. people sat out in sun in bars. street car home. thunder storm and rain. Mayfair bar. Met Mike, Js friend. Anna and Misty play pool and chat to us. Bowie plays on the jukebox. home.

Sun April 6th -- Crawfish and Crown and Anchor.
Belgian waffles for breakfast. rite aid eyedrops. go to academy. huge sports shop. leopard skin pring easy chair. crawfish with julia at crystals. ball with kids. crown and anchor. darts with johns new darts. big burger. home.

Mon April 7th -- Blackout.
Went shopping to a huge american shop and the rest of the day it rained. My neck and back were wrecking today and had to lie down on the floor a lot. Read book and played gameboy. It really did rain! Thunder and lightning. Blackout.

Tue April 8th -- French Quarter.
Hung out at the French Quarter today. Mooching around. Bought some chocolate candy which was very tasty but way too expensive! Met John and Freja after work and we went to Flanagans for old times sake. Was a very surreal experience for John the three of us being out again in the same place we met. Good fun though. Came home for tea then went out to Shim Sham and for few drinks at The Abbey and The Hideout.

Wed April 9th -- Sleeping.
Spent the day catching up on sleep. Watched Rainman on TV. Had a fantastic beef and rice tea that John made for us all. All tired after that and went back to bed!

Thu April 10th -- Aquarium.
Aquarium. imax. kids.

Fri April 11th -- French Quarter Fest.
Swamp. french quarter fest. sushi. house of blues free tickets rebirth brass band.

Sat April 12th -- Home again.
packing. met Ginny. ferry. more french quarter fest. airport. home!