Yearning for a New Year's celebration in a different culture. Having lived through very large extended family celebrations back home in the Philippines, one misses the camaraderie, joie de vivre of large familial gatherings.
Ahhhh, I may have happened upon something as precious, New Years in New Orleans. Since arriving, we have visited with coffee and wine tasting shop owners, attended 2 "family" meals/party eve and day, roamed the streets of the Quarters in mad search of a cab home to the 7th district "a little dangerous," as the driver spewed in whisper.
Have you ever tasted hot home made eggnog? All my American life was limited to eggnog from Safeway, Lucky, Whole Foods supermarkets. Home made eggnog from Mr and Mrs. Santa Maria's kitchen was extraordinary. It was silk in texture, flan in volume/depth in your mouth, and not at all the saccharin taste of boxed variety. Home made hot (taste) sausages, hog head cheese were other treats at their home. Cousin Delbert's home offered cheese grits, seafood pie, savory bread pudding, sweet potato pie with a hint of vanilla -- I was in the throes of Nawhlins family cooking. Great joy.
The other striking feature, people were truly celebrating, family circles I've met where thankful to be home with a place available to all. Little nothing houses, looking typically in line with the shotgun or Creole style attributed to the region, were re-made to being both contemporary in its conveniences, traditional in its facade and architectural elements, and functional based on the needs of its residents. Perhaps a new NOLA architectural style is in the making. With little code enforcements, technology advances, "what is available building materials" and varying amounts of money available for reconstruction all makes opportunities for renewed style.
New Years day, everyone in the house a napping for tonight's evening activities. It is a privilege life to be a white collar professional of moderate income, adventure and travel hungry living in the US (when possible heading to NYC, NOLA, other destinations, come home to SF all places where life happens). One does not have to be moneyed rich, if you can figure out the most affordable options, friends near and far -- I've got it made.
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