Travel Diary | First Time in New Orleans: From Surprise to Scare 🇺🇸

✅ Highly Recommend: 🇺🇸 The National WWII Museum Unexpectedly moving and well-curated! Thought-provoking exhibits — made me reflect on how far we’ve come since the war, yet how conflict continues today. Left me inspired to contribute in my own small way to a more peaceful world. ✌️🌍 🎷 Jazz @ Spotted Cat & Preservation Hall Spotted Cat = unbeatable vibes + only $5! 😍 Preservation Hall was historic, but a bit too formal — I preferred the laid-back energy of the Spotted Cat 🎶 🐊 Swamp Tour A highlight! Saw over a dozen alligators 🐊 + the cutest raccoons 🦝. So much bigger and more beautiful than I imagined! 🍽️ Southern Food Top 3: 1️⃣ Sweet Saint – Creative ice cream flavors like cucumber-basil & pineapple-chili. So refreshing! 🍍🍦 2️⃣ Gumbo Shop – Rich gumbo & flavorful jambalaya — a must-try! 3️⃣ Ruby Slipper Café – Surprisingly delicious brunch! Their banana pudding beignets are crispier and tastier than Café du Monde’s 🍌💥 ⚠️ Why I Won’t Be Returning: Despite the fun, we had some unsettling moments 🥹 1️⃣ Safety Concerns Three different Uber drivers warned us about recent shootings on Bourbon Street and even a jailbreak 😳. We also saw many people who seemed to be using drugs at night. Frenchmen Street is a safer evening alternative, as locals suggested. 2️⃣ Scary Uber Incident On our last night, our driver suddenly screamed at my friend in the passenger seat: “GET OUT OF MY CAR!” 🚗💥 We were terrified by his aggression, but got out safely. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Most locals were warm and kind, and I’m grateful for that. But I truly hope the city works on improving public safety. 🙏 #NewOrleans #TravelUSA #NOLA #MixedFeelings #StaySafe