January 27, 2019

La Plata, MD – The Celestial Biker: New Orleans, LA Adventure Highlights: Conclusion

Elizabeth H. Boots, Shoe Bliss, Travel Adventures, United States Angel Encounter, Angel Stories, Angels, Ann Taylor Loft Blue Skirt, Armstrong Park New Orleans, Bar III, Congo Square New Orleans, DC Blogger, Fashion Blogger, fishnets, La Plata Maryland, Macys, Maryland Blogger, Micro Fishnets, New Orleans, Nude Fishnets, Nude Micro Fishnets, Nude Pantyhose, pantyhose, Shoe Blogger, Southern Maryland, Spanx, Vince Camuto, Vince Camuto Ambrianna Slouch Booties, Vince Camuto Slouch Booties, White Booties, White Boots, White Eyelash Sweater, White Slouch Booties, White Sweater 24 Comments

On our departure morning, my Forever BFF, Tammy, had an early morning flight.  I woke up to bid her farewell and stayed up to take one last walk around the city.  My normally directionally challenged self was buoyed by the aid of Google Maps.  😉

It was quite relaxing walking the empty streets and taking pictures without obstruction.  So much so, I felt at ease walking away from the French Quarter to search for Armstrong Park where historic Congo Square is located.  In the early 19th century, free and enslaved Africans would meet there on Sunday afternoons for drumming, dancing, singing, and comradery.  The music and dancing became so popular, locals and tourists alike would gather to watch the festive performances.  And in time, this led to the birth of jazz.     

I knew nothing about this park as I walked to it.  Tammy had wanted to see it, but we ran out of time.  Since I had a few hours to spare, I told her I would find it and send her pictures.  I was so excited when I discovered it, though I was not sure what I was looking for once inside the park. 

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It was still very early in the morning and my excitement turned to caution as I realized I was the only one in the park save for what appeared to be some homeless men observing me.  Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea considering I wasn’t sure where to go next.  Then, I spied a man walking his dog and felt cautiously comfortable to continue my trek.

Eventually, I came to a large opening paved with cobblestones and surrounded by beautiful oak trees.   

This had to be it and my assumption was confirmed when I noticed a sign identifying the area as Congo Square. 

I took several pictures and lingered for a few moments trying to imagine what it must have been like to witness the pomp of African traditions as it weaved its thread into the American fabric. 

By the time I departed the park, I still had plenty of time to walk back to my hotel.  Unfortunately, on my walk back nothing looked familiar.  Then, Google Maps kept increasing my walk time causing me alarm.  My directionally challenged self could no longer understand where the blue arrow was guiding me on the map screen. 

I found myself in a residential area walking in an unknown direction as a group of men walked towards me.  Stranger danger caused me to panic as I quickly considered my options.  I could turn around and walk back, but how did I even get here?  I was completely lost!  So, I crossed the street as confidently as I could and hoped for the best.  Thankfully, we passed each other without incident.           

Google Maps was completely useless to me by now.  I continued my hurried walk hoping to find a place of business to seek direction.  To my frustration, none existed on my route.  Then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, I noticed ANOTHER group of men hanging out in a small open garage.  They saw me too and began catcalling.  Fearful for my safety, I stayed close to the street and did not acknowledge them.  Despite my avoidance, one of the men began following me and continued trying to talk to me.  I was very scared at this point because I felt trapped.  He continued to follow me as I continued to ignore him.  Finally, to my relief, he stopped following me and yelled: 

“It’s ok, you don’t have to talk to me, God still loves you.”         

I prayed for God’s help.  That’s when a man on his bike came riding towards me.  I flagged him down and quickly relayed my ordeal to him.  His eyes calmed me as he told me everything would be ok.  I believed him.  There was something about his voice that comforted me, but I still kept my guard up. 

The biker wanted to look at the map on my phone and I gave him my phone, but still held on to it.  I was thinking worst-case scenario, he would steal my phone and then I would be in real trouble.  However, he wasn’t trying to steal my phone.  Rather, he was trying to show where we were in relation to my hotel.  Surprisingly, the hotel was near. 

The biker explained I was on a parallel street and all I had to do was turn this corner we were at and I would recognize something familiar.  I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but he was very reassuring and even offered to escort me back.  I appreciated his graciousness, but I did not want to take up more of his time.  I thanked the biker and he rode off as I turned the corner. 

The first familiar thing that caught my eye was the church I always go to when I visit New Orleans.  I smiled.  How did he know?  When I turned back to thank him again, he was gone.

Strange because only a matter of seconds had passed and there was no way he could have gotten far on a bicycle.  I searched up and down the block for the biker, but he had disappeared.  Vanished.

I gave up my pursuit of the biker and when I walked passed my beautiful church, I understood.  My faith had saved me.  My biker was my guardian angel.  I gave thanks to God as I made my way back to the hotel with about 10 minutes to spare.   

Have a great week!

Lizzy’s Latest for this week is the Vince Camuto Ambrianna Slouch Booties.  My review of these boots will post next Wednesday.  For now, enjoy the pictures.