Get in the mood for something  original. A colourful blend of American styles awaits all who make their way to the birthplace of Jazz. New Orleans will bring you back to life and while your it revitalises your soul it will make your feet want to hit the floor and dance.

Romance is in the air and you are in the mood for all that jazz. New Orleans,  pronounced as N'Awlins ', has been a pilgrimage for American artists in search of inspiration, fellow art aficionados and perhaps some artistic romance. Nestled in the bend of the mighty Mississippi River, New Orleans is one of the biggest cities in the State of Louisiana. It is distinguished for its exotic cuisines, lively music and much-vaunted parties. N'Awlins is a true intriguing mix of American, Indian, Spanish, French, British, German and African cultures. That not only accounts for the city itself, but the entire state of Louisiana. The place is like a good gumbo, a healthy concoction of ingredients that have enough variations to suit individual tastes.

Historic French Quarter
It is easy to fall in love with New Orleans and those who do are guranteed to be wined, dined and romanced. The world-famous French Quarter, the city's chief tourist attraction, is perhaps the best place to start. This 10-block square is a mosaic of colors, sound, taste, aroma and feeling like no other place in the world. 

I settled down in the Historic French Market Inn, a beautiful 19th century inn built in early 1800s. It has a perfect location for a rendezvous, tucked away near the Mississippi River bank and in the heart of the French Quarter, it offers an easy stroll to the famed Bourbon Street and Riverside. I just love the heated spa in the backyard! Wandering around the Quarter is like stepping back in time. Discover the lacy ironwork railing balconies that hang over the street, the board window openings crowned by graceful arches and the handsome fan-shaped transoms while exploring the streets. The area leads you to a realm of  authenticity and it is certainly not just a reproduction of historical time. The thing that surprised me though, was that despite its given name the French Quarter, it was noted for its Spanish architechtural accents, not French, all because of a strange quirk of fate. The original French buildings were destroyed by a huge fire and rebuilt by the Spanish.
 

Louisiana Music - freedom from slavery
Summing up New Orleans' musical landscape is no easy task but it can well be described by the term joie de vivre (the joy of living). New Orleans is well-known as the birthplace of Jazz we well as Blues music and this started with the drumming of African slaves in the 19th century. The music was performed and sung during their day-off gatherings. Pioneers such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden and Sydney Bechet made it into a widely appreciated with a mood that revitalised the listener and purged the souls of generations of people... and it freed its enslaved originators. After changing hands with generations of different cultures, the music has become an embodiment of melodic dreams, hopes, laments and the boundless spirit of Louisiana. It is possible to find good musicians everywhere in New Orleans; in the bars, on the streets, in the park and you don't need to use a guidebook to find them.

New Orleans Gumbo Cooking
Another rewarding activity in New Orleans is exploring the city's countless food boutiques, to enjoy its spices, its gentility and worldly sophistication and  Louisiana's famed hospitality. The result of these wonderful ingredients is probably the best city to eat in the whole continental US. Out of this incredible mix comes one of the most famous cuisines that America has to offer, defining New Orleans as the king of Cajun or queen of Creole. Restaurants like Oliver’s' and Court of Two Sisters are elegant, aesthetically pleasing establishments. But I have also found some budget places to eat like Johnnies, that serve great Jambalaya and Po-Boy (sandwiches made from French bread). Eat all the way down the street brings you to Aunt Sally's where you must ask for their famous Praline (traditional French sweet, locally pronounced as PRAW-leen). You won't know what you are missing if you don't try their Praline at least once in your life! If, by now, you still have some money left in your wallet, you should try out Antoine's Restaurant where the Pope, The US President John F. Kennedy and many important people have had a bite to eat while visiting New  Orleans.
 

I tried my best to savor the food and absorb the sights and sounds in a whirlwind trip that lasted four days. Nothing compares to the real experience but hopefully this article will give you a some fleeting impressions of the city. Of course you'll have to visit New Orleans yourself to taste the gumbo up close.  People have been saying for years that New Orleans will be flooded any time soon. They are already 10 feet (3.04m) below see level, so it's not too far-fetched to imagine it happening next time there's a hurricane. Better visit it before it disappears like one of life's precious moments. Just go as you are, but expect to leave New Orleans a different person entirely.