New Orleans Portraits
New Orleans is, of course, unique and fascinating - and filled with true characters. These are some street portraits from one of my stopovers on my annual road trip. I'm tempted to go spend a month in New Orleans someday, just to absorb the vibe and get a better feel for the place. Then again, I'm worried my friends might find me months later - hanging out in some dive bar in the Treme - drunk by noon and having gone through all my money. Still, it would make a good story.
Standing Guard at Pat O'Brien's (New Orleans)
Supposedly Pat O'Brien's serves more alcohol than any other bar in America. This fine gentleman and I struck up a conversation while I was waiting on line for the Preservation Hall show next door. His job is to maintain order amidst the constant stream of tourists in various states of "merriment" constantly streaming in and out of NOLA's most famous bar. So the next time you're in the French Quarter please say hello and thank this man for his service - quietly keeping the world safe for very overpriced sweet fruity drinks in souvenir glasses.
Grandpa Steampunk (New Orleans)
Where else but the middle of The French Quarter could you run across this. But you have to give him his Props for being willing to own the look.
Trumpeting for Jesus at the Cafe Du Monde (New Orleans)
There are always Street Performers around the Cafe Du Monde. This fine gentleman was there one Saturday morning. It's great to listen to some street jazz while downing beignets, but you're still going to get powdered sugar all over your clothes.

Chilling in the Garden District
It was a sunny afternoon and I was strolling around the Garden District/Irish Channel area. This gentlemen seems to have figured out the secret to the good life while relaxing on his front porch. Gotta love those socks, too.
Texas Portraits

The Old Cowboy (Bandera, Texas)
Bandera is the self-proclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World", based partly on the fact that it was the staging area for the Great Western Cattle Trail in the late 1800's. I'm sure there are many other towns in The West that would dispute this title. Nonetheless, I did find an old Cowboy right in the middle of town.
Burger King Troubadour (Columbus, TX)
More Portraits
Yusuf and Berkay (Istanbul)
Hanging out at the very fancy Turkish Baths across from the Hagia Sophia. Expensive but definitely worth it at least once. Now I'm not one to jump to conclusions, but I'm convinced Berkay is John Belushi's illegitimate son.
At the Bar in Monti (Rome. Italy)
Our hostess and bartender a lovely Trattoria in Monti. Another Aperol Spritz, per piacere.


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