We just spent 3 weeks on1 St. Simons Island, the place I grew up. On the way back to Austin, we spent the night in New Orleans. And naturally, being tourists, we wanted to get some beignets from Cafe Du Monde before we left, because that’s what you do. So I rode my bike through the French Quarter at 6 AM, and I have to tell you: 6 AM in New Orleans is an all-time vibe.
A bleary-eyed woman in a leotard sort of thing, traipsing through the city’s grimy elegance in the early golden hour. A man in an alley calling after me: “Hey, what’s up?” A shopkeeper shooing vagabonds away, having a shouting match for what sounded like the thousandth time. A college-aged kid on a French Colonial balcony, wearing sunglasses and a big black wide-brimmed hat — like a priest would wear in a Spaghetti Western — lazily strumming a guitar, singing.
Unfortunately, Cafe Du Monde didn’t open till 8 — thanks, COVID — and we had to go. But I did get a beautiful photo on that long-ass bridge on the way our of town:
PROTIP: When you’re away for a long time, buy yourself a bunch of stuff online so when you get home you have presents to open.
