Saturday 18th. February Lundi Gras
The biggest RV in the world is here
Our first task today was to get our bikes shipshape and for me this meant changing an inner tube. The weather was cloudy so once this was done we set off to cycle into the French Quarter but only got as far as the gate when the skies opened with a mighty deluge that made biking impossible. One of the staff warned us that there was a tornado watch and the rain continued to empty down in a mighty storm for several hours so we got soaked just going back to the bus, which set our plans back but enabled me to get on and write this. Late afternoon we set off again to Michaels Bike Shop which was closed when we found it. Happily a local antique shop owner called a local Ironmonger who has chains and locks. Scott bought a combination lock but soon found it was too complicated for us to work after a night on the town and so had to get a key operated one instead.
Once we secured the bikes to an iron post we could get about on foot but the rain hit again big time and we were forced into Spotted Cat Bar which specialises in traditional acoustic music, and then various other bars in Frenchmens Street which were chilled at this time but later packed with revellers and music from impromptu brass units busking on corners, a shopping trolly sound system made to look like a bull, and a percussion player who sat inside his world of things to bang and attracted a crowd of assistants including Miles. Unfortunately while crossing a very broken up road I took a dive into a puddle by the kerb and sustained grazed knuckles which bled profusely and we had to retreat to the toilet of a middle eastern restaurant to mop up the damage. I blame the road and not the beer.
We had no need to go off Frenchmens because all we wanted was there, a different band in every door, Jazz crooner, organ based groove, modern and traditional jazz, funk and reggae. And so the night was spent dancing like fools and meeting friendly people until about 3am when Scott kindly accompanied me home on the bikes. He has taken many pictures which may prove embarassing on Facebook later.
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