A One-Way Ticket to the Rhythm

If you had a free round-trip ticket to anywhere, where would you go?

If somebody handed me a free round-trip ticket to anywhere in the world, I wouldn’t need terribly long to decide.

I’d be off to New Orleans.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. There are beaches, beautiful mountains, exotic islands and all sorts of places where one can sit beside a swimming pool pretending to read a book.

And yes, those are lovely too.

But New Orleans has something rather special about it.

Music.

Not just music playing politely in the background while people eat their dinner, but music that seems to belong to the streets themselves. Jazz drifting out of little clubs, brass bands gathering around a corner, musicians playing as though the whole city is their stage.

I can almost hear it.

My father, Patrick, would approve. He’s always had a soft spot for jazz and big-band music, particularly Glenn Miller. I suspect he’d be rather pleased to know his daughter was heading somewhere with such a rich musical heritage.

And Uncle Frank? Well, he’d probably ask why I hadn’t booked two tickets.

I’d want to wander through the French Quarter, find a little café, order something delicious and spend an unreasonable amount of time watching the world go by.

I’d visit the music clubs, listen to the musicians, and naturally investigate whether there was somewhere to dance a little Lindy Hop.

Because that’s the thing about travelling, isn’t it?

I don’t just want to see a place. I want to experience it. Hear its sounds, taste its food, meet a few of its people and perhaps discover something I didn’t know I was looking for.

I’d happily get a little lost along the way, provided I could find my way back to the hotel before midnight.

Although, knowing me, that last part might be negotiable if the band is particularly good.

And when the holiday was over, I’d bring home a few photographs, perhaps a record or two, and a head full of memories.

After all, a free ticket might get you there and back, but it’s the experiences in between that make the journey worthwhile.

So yes, New Orleans it is.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some very important research to do.

I believe there’s a jazz club somewhere calling my name.

Stay Fabulous,
Luce 💋