down came the rain...

(New Orleans, LA, USA: May 4, 2007)

holy rain. So I was just out enjoying a late night of *phenomenal* jazz - the kind that just carries your soul, helps you forget where and who you are for a good hour or two. Kermit Ruffins. They were going to do another set later, but it was almost two, and well... I'm old. With no nap and a day full of muffuletta's and booze, I had had enough. I decided to take a cab back and left my friends at Vaughan's. Unfortunately the rain came tonight. Similarly to San Francisco, there are no cabs to be found in the rain, there were at least 30 people waiting, and well, I'm not exactly miss patience. I found a nice group of kids from LA, struck up a conversation and we decided to try to walk home.

Mind you, the bar is really far away from where I am staying (2-3 miles they said) and everyone says that you should not walk much of anywhere in New Orleans. As I learned today, the whole environment lends itself to a bit of lawlessness, especially against vulnerable tourists. But we were feeling tough in numbers, and honestly, we figured the baddies were home keeping dry. So we walked for 45 minutes and got to within 10 minutes of my Inn. We parted ways there, and I knew I shouldn't go on by myself, especially since by this point the rain was truly torrential (but the thunder and lightening awesome!) and I wasn't quite sure where I was. Somewhat sure, but not quite. I'm kind of like a guy though in that I think I have a great sense of direction (I do!), so off I went. Passed a familiar Thai restaurant, but then things were not so familiar. Then after about 15 minutes - at this point my clothing must weigh at least 15 extra pounds - I realize I am completely lost. I have never heard of these streets and i have no idea where I am. I meet a nice trannie who points me in a general direction and I go that way for about 6 blocks, but then I panic. For the first time it occurs to me that I may not actually magically just find my way back. Just at that moment a minivan slows down and starts yelling about my ass. Great! So i dive into a doorway and call a cab company whose number I luckily still had from earlier, and lo and behold, I'm only 5 blocks from home. PHEW. At this point I am beyond drenched. It's actually quite comical, and take away the danger and fear, and it would have been really fun. At least it's really warm and the electrical storm is truly electrical. So in I trot, leave my only pair of jeans and bra in a giant puddle on the floor, and eat another piece of my muffuletta. yum!