Cole in Transit

Back home in Iowa City, Cole has been biking to school lately now that it has been (sort of) nice outside. I'm really proud of him-- he's doing his part to help the environment, and get some exercise and fresh air too. So, props to Cole! 

Ready to bike to school in the AM!

(it's still a little chilly outside)

...And the rest of the week

After a crazy and amazing first few days, it was time to start work. Yes, we went there mainly to do legal service work! The group was split up among 4 different work sites-- I worked with Sylwia and Luke at Health law Advocates of Louisiana. Sylwia and I really enjoyed working with Sara, the HLA director. We had many interesting conversations about health care reform, New Orleans, Katrina, and where to go for lunch. She definitely gave us some great restaurant recommendations! To name a few of our great lunches: Juan's Flying Burrito (best nachos I've ever had), Theo's Pizza, and Italian Pie. I reviewed all my New Orleans restaurant experiences on Yelp, so check those out.

One of the weekday nights, we took a stroll down to Frenchman Street to hit up the jazz bars. There was some great music playing, and the drinks were much cheaper than Bourbon Street! There was even a piano in the women's bathroom.

Alex playing the bathroom piano!

Besides excellent food, the main event of the week was St. Patty's Day on Thursday. Here are a few pictures to sum up the night.

Scott and I wearing St. Patty's underwear 

(we found these at the bar, no idea where they came from)

Liz, Whitney, Sylwia and I

NOLA roomies again-- Kelsey, Liz, Sylwia and I at the bar

Everyone was pretty tired on Friday, our last day, so we had our final group dinner at House of Blues and took it easy that night. The drive back Saturday was also uneventful-- lots of sleeping in the van. I was exhausted and ready to get back home, but also sad to leave so soon! I will definitely take another trip to New Orleans when I get the chance. 

Cajun Encounters

In a haze of hangovers, we managed to wake up the next morning for brunch at Muriel's near Jackson Square. The highlight: BLOODY MARYS with little green beens in them.

Alex has never been so pumped about a green bean. 

Super excited about the bean; Anel's disapproving look.  

Following our delicious brunch (see my yelp review about Muriel's), we headed to the Cajun Encounters swamp tour! Our guide was great and knew just about everything there is to know about swamp plants and wildlife. 

Pre-tour photo op: Whitney, me, Sylwia, Jessie and Alex riding a gator!

Gator coming at us!

He's just a baby gator

Up close and personal with Gary (the Gator)

Gary loves weenies (and marshmallows)

CHOMP!

Shrimpin' boat on the bayou

Quality real estate 

How the swamp people do laundry?

Cajun Playground

More swamp houses

Handicapped boat parking spot!

Actual house boat

Broke-ass house

All in all, a true Louisiana experience. 

First Night on Bourbon Street!

This is the first of a series of posts commemorating the amazing week that was our New Orleans Service Trip (SPRING BREAK 2K11!!!).

After a LONG drive down from Iowa City to New Orleans (16 hours in a van with 9 other awesome law students) we finally arrived at the Maison Dupuy hotel on Saturday night. With not a minute to lose, we got ready and headed out to Bourbon Street. Some of the more notable things: people drinking out in the street (no "open container" laws) and the SMELL. Oh my, the smell. We would later have the foul liquid that runs in the streets (a mixture of vomit, urine, alcohol, and other mysterious substances) described to us as the "party gravy." Ugh.

Anel and I starting the night off right with some LARGE (and expensive) beverages. 

Me and Alex

Alex and Jessie in the smoke-filled bar

Whitney, Sylwia and Anel

NOLA roomies! Me, Liz, Kelsey and Sylwia

Later in the night, we also made it to "the Beach," a bar featuring a mechanical WHALE (as opposed to a bull). Unfortunately, I was too busy dancing and fending away creepers to take any pictures. Props to the girls who rode the whale that night!