Mr Toast's USA Tour - Louisiana

Where can you get a feel of Spain, Africa, France, Canada, the Caribbean and American cultures all rolled into one?

New Orleans, of course. Many people think of Bourbon Street and jazz at the mention of the Crescent City.

There are plenty of establishments waiting to quench the thirst of a visiting tourist or a pirate on shore leave.

I'm not sure if the motif here ice arctic or aquatic, but, it's convenient.

Shopping in the French quarter offers something for everyone.

Talk about one stop shopping. You can pick up a cigar and brush up on paranormal history at one convenient location.

This fellow at the voodoo museum was probably on one of those carb-free diets.

No one can visit Louisiana without enjoying a delicious bowl of gumbo. I think the state police can ticket anyone who forgoes this pleasure.

Parking is at a premium in the quarter, but walking is really the way to see the neighborhood.

You'd never get take in historic markers as this one zipping around in a car, now would you?

Now it's time for a safari!

Just across from Jackson Square and within smelling distance of Café du Monde's beignets is the mighty Mississippi!

This is one of those thingies that sailors use to tie the boats to. As thingies go, it's a pretty nice one.

River boats still cruise up and down the river propelled by the large steam powered paddle wheel.

Wait! Is that a Jolly Roger on the flag pole.

Time to hop on the street car!

You may notice that there are not many front yards here in the French quarter. But behind these walls are hidden courtyards and gardens.

The most famous courtyard isn't hidden at all! Jackson Square is famous for its street performers, gypsy fortune tellers and its statue of Ingnatious P Riley.

You can almost always find a Lucky Dog hot dog cart here any day… it that one now?!

Many children take their imaginary friends for a stroll here too.

The crowing feature of the square if the St. Louis Cathedral.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II dropped by for a visit in 1987 on September 12th. The Vatican will not confirm if he was here to celebrate the mass for The Holy Names of Mary Day or to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the birth of the French actor Maurice Chevalier. I'm guessing both.

The sanctuary is a gem despite tourists in shorts.

Who will blink first?

The winner!!! Everyone celebrates.

Time to rest those exhausted peepers behind a pair of cool shades.

Can you just imagine the number of people who trip on these steps during Mardi Gras. It's a good thing there is a railing.

Commemorated here in bronze, New Orlean born Dixie Land trumpeter Al Hirt serenaded the pope on his 1987 visit with a solo rendition of Ave Maria during.

The most photographed street corner in New Orleans! It's hard to believe that the quarter had fallen into such disrepair in around the turn of the 20th century that landlords didn't want to waste their time renovating the buildings. So, the Spanish style iron work that was prevalent the quarter survived because it was too much work to tear down.

And everyone has to have a praline in New Orleans. Luckily, there's one waiting for me in that shop.

Time to speed off to the next destination!

Thanks Robert for hosting Mr Toast and Marzi for captions on his fun in New Orleans.

Mr Toast Toy Prototype

Just got the photos. I love the arms and legs but they made him textured. If anyone has any thoughts on the texturing, I would be glad to hear them......

Bread Wrappers

Back in the 40's and 50's bread came wrapped in thin wax paper and sealed with labels on each end. Amazingly whole rolls of these wax wrappers survived and the graphics on these wrapprs are quite stunning.

Countdown to the Summer Solstice

Bongoland

Dinosaurs, Seminole Indians. an Old English Sugar Mill, a Lost Mission and "the world's first monkey village". Back in the 60's, they new the attractions people craved to see.

Fizzies

When I was a kid we used to go to a little soda fountain and in the back they had candy and other fun stuff including Fizzies. We would beg our dad to let us get them and sometimes he would give in and get them. I don't have memories of drinking them when I got home. It was more about the magic of the Fizzies packaging calling out to me.

So when I began collecting kids food, Fizzies were high on my list of things that I wanted to find. Through the years I have turned up quite a few packs and even a full display box from the early 60's. And today in the mail I got the very first Fizzies display along with one of each of the packs. I got it from Jim Rash, one of the nicest collectors I have had the pleasure dealing with. It is really cool to see where Fizzies started and it will have a good home in my collection.

Shirts are Here

The I (heart) Mr Toast shirts are here. Mens are light brown (Small to 2XL) and womens are dark brown (Small to XL). They are $15 + shipping. Email grickily@yahoo.com for more info.