Frenchmen Street: The Artist’s NOLA

March 17, 2013March 17, 2013 ~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ Leave a comment

On our second night in New Orleans (NOLA to you hipster artsy types) we did a traditional creole dinner and headed down to Frenchmen street to pay a visit to our new friend who coordinates the artist's market. This is one of my favorite parts of town, because it reeks of dirty hippie kids, salt … Continue reading Frenchmen Street: The Artist’s NOLA

Voodoo and Mardi Gras Indians: New Orleans Deep Culture

March 16, 2013September 27, 2016 ~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 8 Comments

I bet one of the first things that come to mind when you think about New Orleans is Mardi Gras and binge drinking and (hopefully) Jazz music / music in general. Crawfish and Cajun food and oysters and ghosts and vampires might also come in a close second. Then there is the Voodoo...a spiritual practice … Continue reading Voodoo and Mardi Gras Indians: New Orleans Deep Culture

Some New Orleans Street Art

March 15, 2013 ~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ Leave a comment

Strolling off the beaten path of the French quarter, down the service alleys and even into the bywater you can find some interesting impromptu "galleries" with local flavor painted in the walls. Apparently there are a couple of Banksy pieces in town as well which we are going to hunt down today, but yesterday afternoon … Continue reading Some New Orleans Street Art

March 13, 2013March 13, 2013 ~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 1 Comment

In preparation for tomorrow’s long weekend trip to Nawlins with my wife, I thought I would give myself some cultural education. I have spent a fair amount of time in New Orleans…it’s one of my favorite cities just about anywhere – in no small part because of the street culture, the music culture (whcih isn’t too far removed from the former), the food culture and the ghosts that remain for era upon era past. I don’t think I ever knew the difference between Cajun and Creole cultures so am pleased to find this blog. And also pleased to say I have learned something new about my Canadian friends and colleagues….especially my buddy Brian who hails from Acadian roots….

Cajun Food, Louisiana History, and a Little Lagniappe

If you’re reading or following this blog, you have probably picked up on a few subjects that recur throughout the posts. Two of them are fairly well-known, yet also widely misunderstood: Cajun and Creole. Both cultures have been associated with Ascension Parish, Louisiana since the early days of the colony. For those of you who haven’t grown up in, around, or with either culture, you may assume that they are both the same. Folks, these terms are not one and the same; they are two entirely different cultures that happen to reside in close geographical proximity to each other. Both cultures share some commonalities, which can confuse those who don’t fully understand them: they share the French language (although different dialects), have an affinity for spicy food (although Creole food has much more West African influence), and a joie de vivre not found in other parts of the United States.