When I Die, I Hope I Go to New Orleans

I have a memory of my parents bringing back Mardi Gras beads from a trip when I was a kid, and I've had this inexplicable pull to New Orleans ever since. I didn't know anything about the place, but it always sounded magical to me. The closest I've ever gotten till recently was Disney Land's French Quarter.

Since I've started swing dancing, I've had even more reason to go. Being the birth place of jazz music, it continues to attract flocks of musicians who you can hear playing in bars any given day of the week. I found a reason to visit for the Fleur de Lindy exchange. I was so excited to go that I was emailing the organizers months before, asking about registration and housing.

The exchange takes place alongside the French Quarter Festival, a 4 day long free music festival in New Orleans' historical French quarter. With over 20 stages, it was dizzying trying to decide what to see. I have to say, it hardly mattered. You might plan on seeing a certain band but be pulled aside by the sounds of another on the way. Click to continue reading…