Now, as she strolled down the narrow, crowded sidewalks of the French Quarter, she inhaled deeply taking in the aroma, the very essence that was New Orleans. With the Quarter being the oldest and most famous section of New Orleans, she knew that it would be the first on her many sightseeing stops.
Now, as she strolled through the very heart of the district, she looked all around her. She looked up at the graceful balconies made of iron grillwork above her. She could not help but wonder how long the art of that grillwork had endured, the passing of time and the raging of nature.
As she continued down the sidewalk, she would periodically pass openings in shadowy passageways, and would be able to gaze through, into colorfully decorated patios. It had said in the tourbooks that these patios were a feature of many French Quarter houses.
Continuing on her way, she could hear the deep, resonating tones of brass horns playing music in a club up ahead. As she walked up to the club entrance, she stopped and listened. The music was hauntingly boisterious, as it filtered out of the club, onto the street. Then, looking next to the door, she saw a small playbill plastered in a frame. On the playbill, the words EXPERIENCE THE TRUE MARDI GRAS drew her attention. Then, below the large words, was another small paragraph...
Come experience the full flavor of Mardi Gras while here in New Orleans. Appearing for TEN full nights, fellow travellers will share their experiences with you, and tell you their stories. Included are...
As she finished reading, the door opened, and a man exited. When he saw her standing there, reading the playbill, he stopped and smiled, tipping his hat.
'I recommend this particular entertainment, 'cher,' he said, then moved past her and down the street. After watching him move down the sidewalk, she turned back and placed her hand on the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened it, and moved over the threshold...