New Orleans | adventureswithben.com

New Orleans Mardi Gras Sign Spotting: No Bathroom in Garage

Published August 11, 2011 at 7:00 am |

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Bathroom New Orleans Mardi Gras Sign Spotting: No Bathroom in Garage

Well… there goes my plans for installing a toilet, tub, sink and towel rack on P4 by the Toyota Corolla.

I’ll see you out there…!

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Feelgoodz Needs Help to Feel Good!

Published August 16, 2010 at 7:00 am |

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Alright adventurers,

We need everyone’s help here. My buddy Kyle Berner, CEO of Feelgoodz, has been affected by the BP Oil Spill. He was supposed to start selling his summer line of flip flops early this summer, but couldn’t because his shipment was delayed to the Port of New Orleans because of the spill. So with a much shorter selling season, he’s been struggling to make his sales and repay a loan that’s due on Wednesday. You can read the full story at Change.org.

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Celebrating the Saints in New Orleans

Published February 18, 2010 at 9:00 am |

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It just so happened that my trip to New Orleans was planned a few weeks before the Saints were headed to the Superbowl. What a wonderful moment of serendipity; Being in the same city as a Superbowl Home Team on the night of the game! And even better, they won.

This was the first time that the Saints were in (arguably), the biggest event in American Culture. And while it uncertain if they would remain victorious, the mere fact that they were playing was enough. It seemed as if the party started as soon as you woke up. All around the city people were chanting “Whodat” – the Saints cheer.

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Cultural Foods: Cafe Du Monde

Published February 17, 2010 at 4:20 pm |

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I could use a beignet (Ben-Yay) right now. They look delicious don’t they? No trip to New Orleans is complete without a stop at Cafe Du Monde. They are located in several locations in Louisiana, but the original is where you need to visit. Located at the end of the French Market since 1862 – just across from Jackson Square, Cafe Du Monde makes for a perfect stop in the morning before shopping for breakfast.

The menu is fairly limited. Beignets, coffee, juice and that’s about it. But who needs anything else when you can have the most delicious powdered sugar donut in the world? Come enjoy a beignet (or three) with me…

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Happy Mardi Gras!

Published February 16, 2010 at 7:00 am |

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For the longest time I have always wanted to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In fact, it’s been on my Adventure List for several years. And while Mardi Gras as it’s translated is Fat Tuesday, the revelry takes place over the course of several weeks in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras is a celebration of indulgence before the fast of Ash Wednesday. It’s a time to party it up. Virtually everyday throughout the City of New Orleans krewes (social organizations of people), host parades and parties where beads, coins, cups and other treasures are thrown to the masses. Fun for the young and young at heart, find a spot along the parade route and get ready to shout and cheer for those beads.

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Sign Spotting in New Orleans

Published February 15, 2010 at 7:00 am |

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I’ve never been in a parking garage that has a bathroom. But that’s not what this sign means. Allow me to translate for you… “Don’t pee in this garage!”

WHAT?

Why would you need a sign for this?

The City of New Orleans has a very liberal open container law. And when ya drink a lot, ya gotta pee a lot. Yet despite the tolerance towards drinking, there is little tolerance toward public urination – and with good reason I might add. Many merchants post signs that say restrooms are for customer only. Or even worse, there are no public restrooms at all. So what’s a person who’s doing the tinkle dance to do? Enter the parking garage…

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A Visit to the Feelgoodz Flop Cave

Published February 12, 2010 at 7:00 am |

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When I was packing for my trip to Thailand I included a pair of Feelgoodz Flip Flops. They’re made from a good friend of mine, Kyle Berner. He’s CEO of Feelgoodz, a New Orleans based business. Of course on my trip to the Crescent City I had to stop by and see his operation in full swing.

After teaching English in Thailand for a year, he wanted to find a way to give back to a country that had given him so much. His idea…flip flops.

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A 10 Year Reunion

Published February 11, 2010 at 7:40 pm |

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Allow me to introduce the gang from New Orleans. We all met 10 years ago on a college internship. It was the summer of 2000, whether by fate, serendipity or chance that our paths crossed all at once. We hail from all corners of the country, California, Massachusetts, Louisiana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Our friendship lasted through the summer and continued through the years.

It’s been 8 years (count ‘em, eight), since all five of us have last been together. The passing of time has charted our courses in different directions. Sometimes two or three of us may connect for a mini-vacation or for a bed to sleep in on a cross-country trip, but all five of us, in one place – it’s been a long overdue meet-up.

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What to Look Forward to from New Orleans

Published February 9, 2010 at 8:26 pm |

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Today’s post is quite quick. A rough night’s sleep trying to recuperate from the non-stop party that is New Orleans has me beat again this evening. In this spur-of-the-moment 5-day trip I had, I came in right on budget. $140 for the hotel and $180 for food, entertainment and drinks. So for $320 plus airfare, I made out alright. What did that all get me? Here are some of the stories you’ll find coming down the pipeline in the coming weeks…

A visit to the the “flop cave” of local New Orleans Entrepreneur Feelgoodz CEO, Kyle Berner

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New Orleans Celebrates the Saints

Published February 8, 2010 at 12:06 pm |

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Today’s my last day in New Orleans. Last night was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’ll give you the full report in the coming days when I arrive home. But for now, enjoy this video I captured of the parties in New Orleans and Bourbon Street after the Saints won the Superbowl.