Steffie's trip to New Orleans (Marde Gras)

Steffie · Post by **Steffie** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:10 pm

Hi girls,

Last week I spent 5 days in New Orleans for Marde Gras. I spent half the time as Steffie and half the time as my male half. I got a lot of pictures and videos of just the general sights which I'll post separately in a reply to this thread. I got a few though of me out and about and will post those in this thread. NO is a really nice city.

I drove to NO on Saturday from NC. The first day I was kind of tired from the long drive and explored NO as my male self during night time. The traffic getting into the city was unbelievable and in some places the parking was outrageous but I was able to find reasonably priced lots every day I was there and did a lot of walking.

My first day as Steffie I wore a pair of gray slacks with a cute pink top and gray flats. I also brought a black sweater. Although it was sunny, it was a bit windy and kind of chilly. Later on in the evening I had to go back to my car and get my coat because it got even colder. This day I saw a lot of the parade and walked around the river too. I stopped in the casino there for a few minutes but did not gamble. I then had lunch at a place called Mothers. The line there to get in was long but the food was good. When we got to the cashier we had to give our name and they then called us when our food was ready. That's the first time I ever did that as a girl. Of course I gave my femme name though. I even got a receipt with Steffie printed on it and saved it as a souvenir. During the evening I stopped by another restaurant and had some NO crab cakes. The waitress there was nice and even took my pic at the table.

The next day during daytime I dressed in jeans and a blue top. I saw a few parades while walking and went to the river again and went on a steam boat ride (on the Natchez). I got to see NO from the water and got a lot of good pics from that. I even got to go to the engine room and see how the steam boat engine worked. After the boat ride I then walked to the French Quarter and had a beignet at Cafe du Monde. I met a lady there from Brazil who recognized me from the boat and she let me sit at her table. The Cafe was packed because it was so popular. I then walked on Decatur St and throughout the French Quarter until I got to Bourbon St. It was getting near nightfall and I wanted to go to some of the clubs on Bourbon St. However I decided first to walk back to my car and I changed into a black pencil skirt and black top with boots. I then walked back to Bourbon St, popped into a couple of clubs, danced for a little while with some GG's there and then had a small dinner at one restaurant across the street. The waitress there was nice just like at the other restaurant the night before. She even remarked that I looked nice and took my picture. After dinner I then continued walking on Bourbon St, collecting beads thrown from the balconies as I walked. It was obviously crowded. I stopped in a couple of more clubs and even stopped in one Jazz club that was nice. Here they even let me go upstairs to the balcony and I got to see Bourbon St from up high. It was an awesome sight. One guy there even wanted to take a pic with me. Anyway it was great to see NO from the roof as Steffie.

The last day I was there I went back to male mode and got some good pics on the French Quarter and ate at more nice restaurants like the Gumbo Shop and Montrel's. I also collected more beads and walked on all the other streets like Royal, St. Anne, St. Peters, etc. I got some real nice photos too.

Anyway that was my trip. I had a great time!

Anita · Post by **Anita** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:52 pm

Hi Steffie--
I looked at the pictures in your first post. Very consistent--almost all of them had something of interest about them. You looked very natural in them. I haven't been to New Orleans, and I would like to have the chance to go there. If anything, it'll be playing music there--I don't think I'm going to have the time or money to make that a vacation destination.

S. Lisa Smith · Post by **S. Lisa Smith** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:52 pm

Sounds like you had a great time! I love NOLA! Went to MG in 2006 and had a blast!

Carol Ann · Post by **Carol Ann** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:11 pm

Steffie,
On my sweetheart I spend 32 years in N.O. and any time I went out dress never had a problem.

Mother's is great and well know but you learn to call your order in

AH the Cafe du Monde, everybody knows when you went there as most everyone has powered sugar all over them-selves.

I believe you missed the greatest club in town Pat O'Brian's home of the famous Hurricane.

Girl friend I am so glad you had a SAFE time and a good time, wish I was there to take you around.
What no gumbo and soft shelled crabs?, to die for.

Geri Robinson · Post by **Geri Robinson** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:47 pm

Steffie,
Looks like you really had a wonderful time. Way to Go!! Last time I was there it was with a group of 20 crossdressers, we were going on a cruise, we met up a day early and just had a blast. Brings back so many memories. You look so good.

Lana · Post by **Lana** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:13 am

Congratulations on another fun trip. You look so natural and like you were having tons of fun.
Lana

Kyra · Post by **Kyra** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:41 am

Ahh, Mardi Gras! I haven't been in quite a few years. Glad you had a great time, Steph.
I'll have a look at the pics when i don't have to go to work. The Natchez is a nice boat. I've been on her quite a few times. The Mississippi is an amazing river, too. It's really neat to see how much it rises and falls in a year. (that's a lot of water!)

I spent Mardi Gras in bed this year. I hate being sick, but it just happened to fall on that day. Much better now, though.

Hugs,
Kyra

Gwen Lee · Post by **Gwen Lee** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:45 pm

Steffie,
Your pics are wonderful and I'm sure you had a great time. Thanks for sharing them with us. I've been to nawlins several times, mostly for the Jazz Fest. It is a great place to eat, drink and celebrate.

Leeza · Post by **Leeza** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:18 am

Steffie, love your pics. You look so much more at ease in NO than you ever did in NYC. Looks like you really enjoyed yourself and I am glad you did.

Leeza

Kendra Lynn · Post by **Kendra Lynn** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:13 am

Steffie: Yep, looks like you had a great time!
MG period is about the only time I could probably go down to N.O. , since even by JAZZ HERITAGE FESTIVAL time, the mercury rises to uncomfortable (for me) levels.
Question: Do you know anyone in N.O., or did you just go down on your own?
I've discovered that there are even Jewish "krewes" who march on Mardi Gras! I'd love to put on one of my finest cheerleader outfits and join them!
Did you hear any live music on your trip? I enjoy N.O. artists like The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Allan Toussaint, Fats Domino, etc etc...
I still hope to get to N.O. some day-- have not been there yet.
Peace-- Kendra Lynn ("hippie cheerleader").