Travel
NEW ORLEANS, NEW ADVENTURES By: Ross Christianson
Ross’ biggest desires are to learn more everyday and to teach people how to make their dreams come true. Residing in Minneapolis, MN, Ross seeks to discover the world and show everyone else how easy it is, especially on a tight budget. Whether traveling or not, he is fun loving, outgoing, optimistic, adventurous, and a risk taker. Some of his favorite memories include skiing in the Austrian Alps, scuba diving in Thailand, and hitch hiking in Colorado. Ross has traveled to 25 countries thus far and cannot wait to experience what comes next!
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ran out the door.
any images come to my mind when I hear New Orleans … Mardi Gras, Dixieland jazz bands, alcohol shots, ironwork balconies, people flooding Bourbon Street, more shots, cabaret, even more shots, you get the point! Up until May of this year, I had never been to New Orleans. TV shows and stories from friends and family had molded my entire impression of the city. As my 26th birthday was approaching, I decided to meet my best friend Jill in New Orleans, she currently resides in Mississippi. The time had come to find out what New Orleans really has to offer me and to celebrate the beginning of the second quarter of my life the proper way. Some say, “an adventure doesn’t start until something goes wrong,” so right off the bat, I was determined to get things right. My $98 flight from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to Chicago and from Chicago to New Orleans was scheduled at 6:04 am. The night before, I packed my bags and asked my fabulous roommate to wake me just in case I did not wake up by 5:00 am. Naturally, I overslept and she woke me up, and instantly I went into survival mode, frantically requested an Uber ride, grabbed my bag, and
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The pressure was on to make it to the airport in time. The driver was driving as fast as he could within his comfort zone and got me to the airport in about 30 minutes. It was now 5:40 am, and my hope was fading fast. I tried to remain as calm and cool as I could while waiting in line behind to check-in. Luckily, fortune was on my side and I was able to get my ticket and get through security fast, the rest of the trip was smooth sailing. I would categorize this as the second closest call I have had to missing a flight. Once in New Orleans, I took a moment to center myself and think about all the memories I would soon be making and the shots I would soon be enjoying. I informed Jill of my arrival and made my way to our hotel in the French Quarter. I decided to take an Uber to the hotel, but a much more affordable option would be to take public transportation. Our hotel, the Chateau LeMoyne, is a Holiday Inn hotel and certainly embraces the classic French Quarter design and architecture. This beautiful and elegant boutique hotel comes with ironwork on the exterior, subtle yet classy interior décor and a central courtyard complete with a pool.
Connextions Magazine
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Travel Lite
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August 2015