Arrived at House on Bayou Road!

There was some confusion at the airport with our cab driver. He had no idea where Bayou road was. We retrieved the address and he still didn't know where it was. The email told us to request United cabs for a reason. We started to use the term United and lightbulbs went on. We exited the confused cabbie's rig and were told to wait on the median pavement "over there." No one has yet to crack a smile here. This is funny shit though. Anyway, the saviours from United Cabs come and get us as promised. And we're off!

We drive on what looks like Deerfoot Trail or maybe the 401 near Toronto towards Bayou Road. The cabbie is friendly, but not too chatty, and most importantly looks completely confident in where he is going. The first major landmarks are graveyards. Selena is home! These aren't like any graveyards I have ever seen. The graves are stone structures above ground. I know there is a term for them that escapes me.(Oh! Thank you, Selena - Moseleum)Anyway, we passed by about a half dozen of these things. I haven't noticed any obvious Katrina damage yet but as we head in to Quarter I am sure I will see it.

The cabbie makes a left then a right and the speed of cab soon slows to the point where I know we must be here. A rustic old New Orleans home from the movies greets our eyes. Our cabbie unloads the bags in front of the picket fence gate, collects his 30 beans and he's gone. We open the gate and approach the historic looking mansion. We are greeted by Judy, the cooking school instructor. She welcomes us and points us to a phone to "summon the Inn Keeper. ". How quaint. Selena does just that. Walton soon pokes his head out of the door and welcomes us. He immediately apologizes and says we can't come in quite yet because of a film crew. We are very intrigued. A couple of minutes later our host whose name escapes me right now, dammit, took us into this beautiful mansion. She apologizes because The Food Network is there doing a shoot with the chef that will be conducting our cooking class tomorrow, Poppy Tooker. She greets us warmly and film crew gives us a polite "can you get the hell out our way" smile and we walk into the kitchen. Wow! It looks like the set from the food network - a nice island filled with ingredients, a stone chimney and a very friendly chef, Mike. We will have to google him and find out who he is later.. We think he owns a restaurant around here. Anyway, we get our little orientation and I am snapping pictures of this great kitchen.

Out host could not be more friendly or helpful. She tells us everything we need to know and then shows us to our room. Well, it is beautifully perfect - so perfect - that my wife began to tear up! We even have real keys again a la 1408. A trend perhaps? So now, we are just getting our bearings and in about an hour, we will head on our first Ghost Tour in New Orleans. Cool!

Also, the Food Network is doing some sort of Gumbo Party tomorrow afternoon and we have been invited to attend... That will be another post.

I don't think we have in-room internet here so the posting of pics may have to wait until we hit DC. But, we will continue to blog in text until we can get a connection to upload some of these great shots.

Miss you Maddie!

And thanks to all of you for tuning in...
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