New Orleans Day 1 April 26th, 2012 Finally back in my second home, I realized that I had forgotten some key things, so I took a walk through the "District" to Walgreens to fetch a razor and shaving cream, a belt and some floss. Walking through the streets of the city, I only remembered how special the city truly was. The mansions, vines, smell and the music I heard from peoples homes. I took a deep breath and I knew I had finally made it back. Shortly after my walk started I received a text from Jordan saying they were going to pick me up and head to Broadview, a wonderful seafood and Po-Boy spot on Broad, near the fair grounds. I arrived back at the house just short of the arrival of the guys. I had texted the girls and they were settling in nicely. I let them know of our plans and kindly invited them, thinking they wouldn't really tag along. Our first stop after returning to our favorite joint, was a new venue called "Istanbul", to see the legendary and amazing Leroy Jones. I made aware to the girls of the venue and told them to cab it over and meet us, as we would head to "East Side Daiquiri" to see the TBC brass band. We ventured in to the evening, to find the "Istanbul" where we'd find a musician that all of us only dreamed to be like. Once we arrived we quickly learned that Leroy was going to be starting a little late, as we ran in to his wife Katja. The wait, however, was well worth it. Leroy took to the stage, with his wife by his side, and proceeded to tear the roof of the joint. Playing his seamless lines and his twisting melodies, he navigated the changes unlike anyone I had ever heard. Somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd song, Karina and April showed up, and it was a welcomed and surprising sight as I didn't think that they would seriously tag along or want to hang out with us, let alone me. They were quickly captured by the live music they were hearing and were drawn like the rest of us. Soon there after the first set drew to a close and Jordan quickly suggested we head out to where TBC was playing, to which we all agreed. We all piled in to the mini van with two new companions as April and Karina joined us to venture in to the neighborhood and off the beaten path to hear one of the best and rawest brass bands around. Well on our way it was an adventure just trying to find the "club". Ben was driving with Roc in the shotgun directing the way, if thats what you can call it. As we rolled up to the club you could hear the trumpets blaring, the bass drum booming, and the tuba, screaming, this is what we were here for, this is what we lived for, this solidified that we were home... As quickly as our night had began, it had ended, but not with a little bit of secondline dancing in the club. Karina jumped right in and quickly was dancing with all the locals while April observed and swayed along with the beats, I know, they had never heard before. The two garnered much attention from some people, so much that a man by the name of Lionel asked April to sign his shirt for him. It was a really fun thing for us, in the band, to watch. With that we all piled back in to the van. The ride home was a comedy of errors as the daquiri's were hitting us all hard. Although there was much laughter in the back of the van, which was now +1 with the arrival of Matt Hanzelka, I felt for Ben as he had to decipher the jiberish we were all spouting off. We made it home safely and said our good nights to April and Karina as I walked them to the corner and pointed out their route home. Our first night had ended, and it couldn't have been better. I knew this trip was going to be special, I just didn't realize how special....

April 25

April 25, 2012 The morning started with me watching the sun rise in the lounge car, but I quickly returned to my seat as we rolled in to Memphis. I disembarked the train and quickly found Karina and April racing to the station to change their tickets. (I had effectively convinced them the night before to skip their memphis stop and head straight to New Orleans). Just as quickly as the disappeared in the to the station, the pair emerged with new tickets and a new itinerary. Before I could really say anything, the duet of guys quickly stepped in, so I again just let it go. Once we were on our way, however, Karina, April and myself began to converse more and more learning more about each others journies. We caught breakfast in the Dining car with Frank, a nice gentleman that used to live in NOLA. The breakfast went well as the girls Asked questions about the city and what to do. Frank and I filled them in on all that we knew that would enhance the two's journey, hoping this would ease the pain of skipping Memphis. To my surprise the girls had one of the venues on their list, that I knew would be a hit, the "Hi Ho Lounge". When they asked what was so good about the Hi Ho, I simply said "The Stooges". The club had recently been bought by the infamous "Kings Of The Street" and was the home of their regular Thursday night gig. The two had never heard of The Stooges, and I wasn't surprised. They had also never heard of brass bands, which also didn't surprise me, but was a little weird, since they were going to New Orleans, but that aside I knew they would soon discover the culture and the music. Breakfast quickly ended and was fairly decent considering the trip. April decided to return to the seats to take a nap, after a restless night, while Karina and I returned to the observation car to discuss New Orleans and learn more about each other. During our discussions I learned that Karina and April were escaping Vancouver for this trip and just ready to have fun. I let her know that she's going to a place that I truly love and admire and told her that it had been a two year drought, since I had last been to the Crescent City. Frank joined us again and I said to him "Do you know what it means?" He simply looked at me and said, "Oh yes." Karina was puzzled and didn't understand my question, but I told her after this trip, this week, she would know what I ask that question. April joined us some time later on our trip to New Orleans, but we quickly retired back to our seats so I could help them find a place to stay. While in our process, two of the intrepid young men offered a hotel room to them, that friends had or to get a room together. Karina, being the nice person that she was, entertained the idea but was still looking for places and taking my suggestions for numbers and hostels. April on the other hand, was not as enthusiastic about the prospect of sharing a space with the young men. We finally found a place that seemed suitable called "St. Vincent's House". After several tiring calls over 2 hours, the girls made contact, as we crawled in to New Orleans. After helping them find and book their hostel, I realized that the hostel was only 4 blocks from the house that Erik had rented for the group. When that was discovered, the three of us decided to split the cab over. As the train pulled in to New Orleans' Union Station, we disembarked and made our way to the station. There I offered my number and services to the two guys that wanted to split a room with Karina and April, but the said that they would figure it out. They were obviously unhappy about the fact that the three of us (April, Karina, and I) were going to be in contact for the trip. With all of that behind us, I picked up Erik's tuba and we hailed a cab to the Lower Garden District, near Magazine Street. With some minor confusion of the address of the band's house, we pulled up to a wonderful little shotgun house. Here I left the girls to find their hostel. Finally in New Orleans, I awaited the arrival of Roc, Kid and Jordan. I was home, at last, and after a hectic 5-6 months, I was finally at peace

New Orleans day 2

New Orleans Jazz Fest 2012
April 24, 2012

I boarded the "City Of New Orleans" approximately 7:30PM and was assigned the last available car on the train. I quickly made friends with some friendly people around my age that were traveling to New Orleans for personal reasons. I was, however, distracted by two young, energetic, ladies that boarded rather last minute. My first thought was to approach them immediately, but I was busy trying to maintain my seat to my self, so I could have a good night\'s sleep.

Our train departed on time and we slowly began to creep out of Chicago. About thirty minutes in to our trip, I ventured to the lounge to purchase a bottle of wine, and after receiving 2 cups for my self, I made my way back to my seat. As I returned to my seat, I saw and over heard the two young ladies talking to an older gentleman about New Orleans and Jazz Fest. I wandered my way back and introduced my self to the ladies and said "Are you headed to Jazz Fest?" Both girls responded politely and with a smile saying "We are!" I proceeded to talk to them about jazz fest explaining my journey and purpose for my trip and with that we were rolling. With an offer of a glass of wine, we were talking about their plans for jazz fest.

As we rolled along there were two young men sitting in the seats to the rear of the ladies. They took a keen eye to them and started talking with them as well. They too were headed to jazz fest and I quickly learned neither party really had a plan for there travels and were essentially wandering in to the mess that is Jazz Fest. With that in mind I started to fill them in on some of the tricks and tips of Jazz Fest. One of the guys had a guitar with him and was eager to share his talents with the us, but in-particular, the girls. After finding out that I played trombone I was invited to jam in the lounge car. Hesitant, I accepted their invitation.

Our quintet ventured forward to the lounge car where a guitar was broken out and immediately the folk tunes started flying. Another seemingly wandering young man joined us and had a scratchy voice that was pleasant and full. Our night was made as the conductor of the train also played guitar and joined in. This continued long in to the night, to which I learned more about the young ladies, whose names were: Karina and April. April, quickly caught my eye as a beautiful young lady, who earned the nick name "Mother". Karina was the fun, also beautiful, energetic leader of the group. Both were quickly surrounded by young men from the train.

Alas our night continued and the young men on the train were fascinated the beautiful duo, so I took my self out of the picture, by heading back to my seat. Thus ended my night, essentially. It was a restless night, but I was able to get a few hours in.

New Orleans Jazz Fest Pt 1

Blog Draft 1
For the first time in two years, I returned to the Crescent City this past April. It was a long over due trip and it was a trip I was happy to be making with a group of people that really turned me on to the city.

The planning for the trip started in late March as a trip for Mama Digdown\'s to attend Jazz and Heritage Festival. Erik already had a gig playing with Mahogany, but was looking to make a band trip out of it. I was happy that he had asked me to go, as I jumped on the opportunity right away.

I decided early on that I would take the train from Chicago to New Orleans, appropriately named "The City Of New Orleans." Not only was it a cheaper choice, but a better way to relax, and perhaps meet some people and learn about their trip and if they were going to Jazz Fest. Little did I know that I\'d be meeting some amazing people that would leave an imprint for a lifetime.

With my ticket in the books, my time off approved, I was ready to return to the city I had missed greatly. For most, its hard to understand why I or anyone for that matter, would say "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?" It truly takes one trip to understand why. The city, the atmosphere, the people and the culture manage to capture your heart. Only after that do people understand what I and many others mean by that phrase. This trip would be one I wouldn\'t forget.