New Orleans

Jackson Square with the St Louis Cathedral in the back.
Jackson Square with the St Louis Cathedral in the back.

If you visit New Orleans you must try the Green Goddess restaurant. They have some really innovative – different and really good dishes on the menu. I suggest you try the South Indian Uttapam, vegan version – It is soo delicious. Then you can finish off with a super dessert, I can strongly recommend the Chocolate Dutch – French Toast with Steens sugar cane syrup and salted caramel – It has Gouda cheese  in it – it is one of the best desserts I have ever tasted. The Green Goddess also have a super selection of interesting spirits, wines and fortified wines to accompany your meal. They also have friendly and helpful waiters. I give it all thumbs up! Green Goddess is located in the French Quarter at 307 Exchange Alley, between Conti and Bienville.  No reservations, first come first served.

Green Goddess restaurant sign
Green Goddess restaurant sign

 

You know you’re in LA

Caterpill

You know you’re in LA when the heavy equipment Caterpillar that is in many colder climate areas used to scrape ice from the roads, is used in the concrete river to scrape away unwanted growth. This is the scene about twice a year probably in most of the concrete lined rivers and streams in LA and it’s environs, the picture is from La Ballona Creek.

LA_tree_0253

 

Here is another sign that you are in LA, or at least in a big city and not out in the woods, a cellphone antenna tower masked as what could pass for a redwood at a distance. Or maybe they look the same way out in the woods, it might just be hard to find them for all the trees.

 

OTIS College of Art and Design Annual Kite Festival

TheLosAngeleno.jpg

On Sunday the Beach next to the Santa Monica Pier was filled with people and the airspace was getting crowded with kites. Some kites were more colorful than others and some really cool “designer” kites could be seen. It was the annual kite festival that is held by the OTIS College of Art and Design, open to the public – to the enjoyment of all the local kids (and, as it seemed, parents as well).

Kiteflyer_AI_7596

It takes concentration to fly a kite, and the sky is bright – even if the sun isn’t out – so shades are key.

kite_ghost_7590

 

All kinds of kite designs could be seen, from the most basic to the more elaborate.

blue_kite_7597