New Orleans from the ferry Algiers Point is a neighbourhood which is a free, short ferry ride across the Mississippi River from New Orleans riverside. We wandered around the area and it was one of my favourite parts of New Orleans.
To a tourist wanting to see attractions and get a party vibe, there is nothing to see here. But if you are interested in getting a feel for how people live and see some casually weird stuff, I think you’d love it. I sure did.
To a tourist wanting to see attractions and get a party vibe, there is nothing to see here. But if you are interested in getting a feel for how people live and see some casually weird stuff, I think you’d love it. I sure did.
Please englighten me if you understand what's going on here.
My first impressions were that there are lots of displays of pride in the area, nationalist and other. The inhabitants of Algiers Point seem to have a penchant for displaying objects, flags and bumper stickers to express their opinions out the front of their houses and on their cars.
This vehicle also had actual crocodile heads on the front.
Many houses had Christmas decorations, some looking a bit worse for wear after the rainy weather. Others still had pumpkins out.
This door is eating Christmas spaghetti
Others had permanent decorations, such as the house that was covered in pictures, flags and objects. This house also happened to have a pet turkey fenced in a front area of the front yard. Amongst the paraphernalia, there was a veteran flag and a wheelchair assist machine for the small set of stairs. I can only imagine the character that lives there.
Somehow, this turkey doesn't seem out of place, does it?
Effective security guard
Another house had a plastic duck, large enough for a child to ride, on the front porch and not much else. A friendly cat from the house came over to say hello, and followed us for a while.
Innovative patio furniture for fans of aquatic birds
We hesitated outside the church for a moment, and on deciding to look inside, a young man walking by called out his support. “God lets everyone in,” he shouted as he swaggered by.
A holy lot of nothing on today
"Don't look at me." - Wreath in January
An old biker in a leather jacket stopped outside the Mother Mary shrine outside the church and said some private words. A few kids raced around the park, some of them kitted out entirely in Saints clothing. We came to a big structure that resembled a theatre and seemed closed. Abandoned buildings are common in New Orleans, but this one looked well kept. We peered through the dark glass and could just make out sculpted arms holding torches that extended from the walls.
We followed the disused railway tracks for a while and came across a huge statue of an eagle, and another of a crocodile.
We followed the disused railway tracks for a while and came across a huge statue of an eagle, and another of a crocodile.
Fighting the crowds to walk down this street
We turned back when we were nearly at the stationary train, feeling the number of abandoned houses around us growing.
Maybe the owners just like a good draught in the house?
Cutting around the back of the buildings to walk along the water, we found an enormous female head with her hair frozen, flowing to the side. Staring straight ahead into her eyes was surprisingly unnerving. We realised that the head was out the back of a business called Mardi Gras World which makes floats for the world-renowned festival.
She kind of gave me the cold shoulder
As the light faded, we made our way back to the ferry terminal.
Light fading
If you visit New Orleans, I recommend that you take a break from sculling hand grenades and check out the mysterious and wonderful neighbourhood across the Mississippi.
Been there? Let me know what you thought of it below.
Been there? Let me know what you thought of it below.
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