Day Three 7/18/25

 

We met for our morning walk of Bourbon St this morning at 5:45. Some things hadn't changed since last night - the establishments were still there, most of the neon signs were still lit, the purple bird outside Voodoo Chicken and Daiquiris (distant cousin of the Herkey statues?) was still staring with his big eyes etc.

But there were some big differences. Now only a few costumed or drunk individuals were seen, a neon sign was undergoing careful repairs to get ready for the new day, and of the few people we saw, most were working to clean up rather than tourists/partyers.  The streets had been freshly cleaned and hosed.

We stopped to ask one of the sanitation workers what the strangest thing was that he had ever found on Bourbon Street. He first said he only spoke Spanish but we showed him the question in Google Translate, and he thought for a bit and said "a man's penis".

They were still in the process of cleaning the streets, which seems to be done by a combination of the "We Suck" company

and the "lemon fresh" trucks (which sprayed something with a heavy lemon scent onto the streets).

We kept walking.

Following the same route as last night, we again turned off Bourbon street to walk toward St Louis Cathedral. At this time of the morning, the looming shadow of Jesus' statue is not there,  

but the statue was still there, still beckoning.

At the front of the church we paused to consider that the area where we were standing would soon be occupied by various forms of entertainment -street musicians, tarot card readers, palm readers, etc (except that the latter two really are not "entertainment", they are the occult....

Looking the other direction is Jackson Square with its famous statue of Andrew Jackson.

Walking around Jackson Square, we came to the Mississippi River. We sat along the levee and watched the sun rise and also saw a group of ducks going by.

We took a group photo...

Then it was time for -you guessed it - church clap - right there between the Mississippi River and Jackson Square. (Mississippi River background view:)

(Jackson Square background view:)

We again walked by Napoleon House. (It had been too dark to take a picture last night.) This structure, built in 1794 and enlarged in 1814, was intended as a residence for Napoleon Bonaparte after his exile. The plan to bring Napoleon to Louisiana was halted by his death in 1821.

The next stop was Cafe Beignet,

where we received a fresh hot pan of beignets that could be dipped in Confectioners sugar.

(We each received one fresh hot beignet!)

It was a short walk from there to Mother's Restaurant, where we ate again!, this time we ordered breakfast. They are known for their ham, and many of us got the ham &cheese omelet. I got the Famous Ferdi Special (a po' boy with ham and roast beef au jus along with shredded cabbage, pickles, mayo, and just a little mustard) which was delicious.

Then we walked to an area where we could finish part 2 of the Theological Foundation reading/discussion in our small groups (that we were supposed to finish yesterday, but didn't have enough time). Today the discussion focused on the six "parts" of time as described in the Bible - creation, fall, promise to Abraham and faithfulness to Israel, Jesus life on earth, the Church and it's mission, and return of Jesus/new creation. Thinking of time this way gives us perspective

Nest we took our bus to the National  WWII museum. 

We broke into our prayer groups in the lobby. This is the feet of my prayer group (on the dedication bricks).

Part of the reason New Orleans has a WWII museum has to do with its own history - Here is an interesting fact that I learned..."In Aug 1942, America mounted her first major amphibious landing in WWII at Guadalcanal, using innovative landing craft built by Higgins Industries in New Orleans. By seizing a strategic airfield site on the island, the US halted Japanese efforts to disrupt supply routs to Australia and New Zealand. The invasion ignited a ferocious struggle marked by seven major naval battles, numerous clashes ashore, and almost continuous air combat. For six long months US forces fought to hold the Island. In the end they prevailed, and the Allies took the first vital step in driving the Japanese back in the Pacific Theater"...

This is a dog tag wall...

After finishing up in the part of the museum dedicated to the Pacific Theater, we watched a movie on how freedom almost vanished from the world in the 30s and 40s, and how each generation therefore should remember and consider their responsibility to protect freedom and advance human rights...

Next we went to board the bus for the 5 min ride over to ride the paddlewheeler Creole Queen.

The jester statue near by where we got the tickets.

Boarding the boat....

In the lower level of the boat, where we started out, and where we had lunch (a variety of creole dishes, all you can eat)

Here are some of the boats we passed - a Navy ship,

some sort of floating oil refinery (?)

two ships vaguely reminiscent of the jester hat...

We went downriver about 30 min, then got off at the Chalmette Battlefield (site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815)

As we walked to the visitor center, we passed several trees with Spanish Moss, which was much admired...

The park ranger did an excellent job relating the history of the site to us.

We walked over to some canons nearby the visitor center, where Kaja re-enacted what happens at the business end of the canon.

Then we got back on our paddleboat and went back upriver, passing this paddleboat. Note the periodic ripples in the water from the turning of the paddlewheel.

Looking at the paddlewheel on our boat

After returning to Spanish Plaza, we boarded our bus and headed to Rouses Grocery store for some items for upcoming meals, snacks, etc. Then we met in our hotel suite for dinner (mini muffalettas, mini ham and cheese sandwiches, mini meat pies, mini bbq meatballs, mac n cheese, and Zapp's Voodoo chips), followed by a presentation by Suzanne Carpenter Scott, a friend of Pastor. They met at Disney where they both worked years ago. She is a super sweet Southern lady currently living in Mobile, but spending quite a bit of time in New Orleans.

She explained (in her Southern accent) all about the history of the Mardi Gras Parades. She is in the Iris Krewe, which has around 3600 members and 36 floats (all of them at least tandem with some triple). It is an all female Krewe, but she also told us all about some of the more traditional all male Krewes (Momus, Komus, Proteus, and Rex). These names just rolled off her tongue and to an Iowan, it sounded like the name of a law firm!

Iris started parading in 1959. Parades usually last around 4 hours and the route covers 5.5 miles. The parade involves elaborate costumes and a ball which follows, usually going late into the night. 

It was all very interesting, and she even gave each of us a pair of sunglasses, of the type she would throw from the float. 

Afterward, we did his and lows, discussed the plan for tomorrow, and went to bed.

Looking back on the day, the WWII museum showcased many stories of perseverance / ENDURANCE under great hardship. Again, we are reminded what gives us the ability to ENDURE. Yes, it is important to fight against the evil of societies (such as Nazi Germany) which do not respect human rights. Yes, it is important to try to maintain freedom in the world. But America and the Allies are not God. (We noted that in the chapel at the WWII museum, there was no cross, only an American flag on the altar). America/ the Allies would not have won the war if it were not part of God's plan for them to do so. God ultimately directs human history. More important than freedom is faith in Christ. Let us all seek to defend THAT first and foremost!

At the end of our lives, may we all say with Paul

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will  award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

 (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Lord ,  we seek freedom, we seek human rights, we seek to defend the cause of democracy- these are all good things, gifts which ultimately come from You. But YOU are the real treasure that we seek. YOU are my all in all. May I always seek YOU first.