EJ, wonderful write up that brought back a ton of good memories and unfortunately quite a few not so great with a few absolutely terrifying experiences as well.
Traveled there many times for business meetings/trade shows from 1990 to 2012 or so. Haven't been there since. Mostly stayed at Marriott properties close to the French Quarter. Around 2005, several of my coworkers decided to bring their wives along for one of the the trade shows and I reluctantly brought mine along as well. Not one of the smartest decisions I ever made.
I knew we had to do everything possible to create a protective bubble around my wife and the 3 other pampered wives. I lobbied for staying at the downtown Marriott but was overruled by the CEO who insisted we join he and his wife and stay at the Royal Sonesta right on Bourbon Street. Horrible decision #2.
I had my assistant arrange shopping trips, carriage rides, river boat tours, spa sessions, museum and historic tours, etc. I then hired a limo to cheauffer them back and forth to the hotel. After a day and a half with two more to go things were going ok and then the sh!$ hit the fan.
Upon return to the hotel from a morning spa session my wife and the CEO's wife took the elevator to return to their rooms. When they stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway they witnessed 2 drunken thugs beating the life out of a young woman that they charitably described as appearing to be a prostitute. In a panic they screamed their lungs out and fortunately several other people came out of their rooms and the thugs fled the hotel through the stairswell.
Needless to say this wasn't the experience I was hoping for. Me and the other guys spent the next 4 hours convincing our wives that things would be ok. We had reservations for the group at Emeril's (I think) that evening and everyone enjoyed a very nice, albeit way overpriced dinner.
Upon return to the hotel there were multiple police cars and ambulances with lights flashing parked in front of the Royal Sonesta. We stood on the sidewalk for about 10 minutes listening to the cops and hotel manager downplaying the situation when a crew of around 8 EMT's wheeled out 2 unconscious stab victims. They were the lucky ones as one of their buddies was lying on the lobby floor in a pool of blood with a sheet over top of him. We all quickly retrieved our luggage and took our limo to the airport. Spent a sleepness night at the airport listening to my wife repeatedly ask me why I agreed to let her come on the trip if I knew it was so dangerous.
IMO, New Orleans is one of those cities that everyone should visit. It is a truly unique and ifascinating place. Unfortunately, it is dangerous as hell. Have fun but be very careful.
Traveled there many times for business meetings/trade shows from 1990 to 2012 or so. Haven't been there since. Mostly stayed at Marriott properties close to the French Quarter. Around 2005, several of my coworkers decided to bring their wives along for one of the the trade shows and I reluctantly brought mine along as well. Not one of the smartest decisions I ever made.
I knew we had to do everything possible to create a protective bubble around my wife and the 3 other pampered wives. I lobbied for staying at the downtown Marriott but was overruled by the CEO who insisted we join he and his wife and stay at the Royal Sonesta right on Bourbon Street. Horrible decision #2.
I had my assistant arrange shopping trips, carriage rides, river boat tours, spa sessions, museum and historic tours, etc. I then hired a limo to cheauffer them back and forth to the hotel. After a day and a half with two more to go things were going ok and then the sh!$ hit the fan.
Upon return to the hotel from a morning spa session my wife and the CEO's wife took the elevator to return to their rooms. When they stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway they witnessed 2 drunken thugs beating the life out of a young woman that they charitably described as appearing to be a prostitute. In a panic they screamed their lungs out and fortunately several other people came out of their rooms and the thugs fled the hotel through the stairswell.
Needless to say this wasn't the experience I was hoping for. Me and the other guys spent the next 4 hours convincing our wives that things would be ok. We had reservations for the group at Emeril's (I think) that evening and everyone enjoyed a very nice, albeit way overpriced dinner.
Upon return to the hotel there were multiple police cars and ambulances with lights flashing parked in front of the Royal Sonesta. We stood on the sidewalk for about 10 minutes listening to the cops and hotel manager downplaying the situation when a crew of around 8 EMT's wheeled out 2 unconscious stab victims. They were the lucky ones as one of their buddies was lying on the lobby floor in a pool of blood with a sheet over top of him. We all quickly retrieved our luggage and took our limo to the airport. Spent a sleepness night at the airport listening to my wife repeatedly ask me why I agreed to let her come on the trip if I knew it was so dangerous.
IMO, New Orleans is one of those cities that everyone should visit. It is a truly unique and ifascinating place. Unfortunately, it is dangerous as hell. Have fun but be very careful.
Looking forward to my trip to the BJC tomorrow evening.
