General Tips, Observations, and Information

Here are some things we've learned while staying in New Orleans, in no particular order (but in list form, which, interestingly enough, seems to be experiencing a surge in popularity amongst life-planner type people. I've seen two articles about the benefits of lists in the past two weeks in two different publications).

• It is okay for buskers to perform around any side of Jackson Square, provided they are at a respectful distance from other artists/buskers/tarot card readers/storefronts. We got this information from a police officer, and he said nothing about needing a permit.
• The wireless internet at the Community Coffeehouse (C.C.'s) on Magazine St. extends to their outdoor patio area, where the tables are rarely full and Stina feels no pressure (whether it comes from within or without) to buy anything.
• The New Orleans Public Libraries have wireless internet and also computers which those with library cards may use for one hour, while those without must pay $3 for one hour.
• It's free to look at the art in numerous galleries around the city. Considering that the prints (not the originals) in one gallery in the French Quarter we visited averaged around $10,000, I'm pretty sure the curators don't expect everyone passing through to be in buying mode.
• There are so many great movies at the library! It was easy for us to get library cards since we have both received mail while living here, and this is the proof of address the library asks for (any type of mail seems to be okay). We are borrowing Spiderman 3 today; last week we checked to see what it would cost to rent Spiderman 3 at Blockbuster because we had a burning desire to see it, and it would have been $5.43. Free vs. $5.43--what an easy call.
• They don't carry tofu at the Winn-Dixie on Tchoupitoulas.
• The Breaux Mart on Magazine St. is much closer to where we are living on Jackson St. It's a small store, and we found out from friends that there are larger, "real" grocery stores on Tchoupitoulas St. So we visited Rouse's and Winn-Dixie, and while the milk prices at Rouse's are $4.18 for 2% versus $4.69 at Breaux Mart, prices of other products like cereal and produce are comparable. Tip to be learned: if you are willing to do heavy price comparisons within a grocery store and look for the best deals (and this can take some time), chances are you can find the cheapest stuff at the store most convenient to your location.

That's all for now, but stay tuned.