When you think of New Orleans you usually think of Jazz music and Creole food. The French Quarter and Boubon Street are the center of the nightlife. On my way out to an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico I had to overnight in New Orleans before driving some way then hitching a ride on a helicopter to the job. I headed into the French Quarter to explore and ran into a funeral procession making its way through the streets after the funeral. There was a jazz band, juggler and dancers. With a throng of people tagging along celebrating the deceased’s life and releasing their soul from the earthly world. The colour and music from the procession was something you could never imagine. especially coming from a culture where funerals are normally a time of sadness and the wake after the funeral a sombre occasion. From there I cruised the streets checking out the bars until I found a jazz bar that drew me in. On my way back through I managed to sample some local food. Breakfast at The Ruby Slipper in the Garden District was elbow to elbow at the bar. The food was all the local Creole food that New Orleans is well known for.