Thursday, June 26, 2014

Guest House

I'm in New Orleans.   Due to the delays in fort worth what should have been an 11 hour trip took 21 hours.  I was supposed come in through Houston.  Instead, I had the longer want around... through Shreveport.   No stories match kneecap tho...
I arrived at my arranged accommodations, Saint Vincent's Guest House. 


St V's started out as a convent/orphanage in the 1860's, built to house children who were left wirhout parents by the yellow fever that periodically swept through New Orleans. 

 After the yellow fever was dealt with,  it became a home for unwed mothers, and closed in 1971.

Them it became a hostel, and now its a guesthouse. 

That history is all very American Horror Story,  and I couldn't help booking in.  

Do I recommend it to you?  Not really.

One section is still a hosrel, with 25 dollar a night beds... the ward where the children were kept if I'm not mistaken... but it's not a youth hostel.  There are several middle age men staying there right now and I've gathered that they vary from ex cons to working homeless.  

One, at 7 am,went on an impromptu tirade about transgendered persons in the courtyard.  

The are shabby, and its definitely seem better days, but its clean.  No phone in the room, no tvs, hideous curtain, ragged carpet,   there's ongoing improvements happening, andaybe. Itll improve, but for now, find someplace else, this is coasting on potential.

And it does have potential... an influx of money, close down the hostel, and youve got a jewel.

7 comments:

  1. I love that city. I hope you do well there, Claude!

    I have very fond memories of sitting on the bank where the river curves, and watching the boat traffic. We spent one whole afternoon of our vacation just sitting there hanging out, and it was one of our best days there. I also really enjoyed when we got out of the city, past Lake Ponchatrain. It's beautiful country over there. (That was all pre-Katrina)

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    1. Not doing much site seeing this trip, first I've been here since Katrina too. The bits system is almost indecipherable to me, but I'm making headway...

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  2. Have you moved, or just having a get-away? I hope you will have coffee and beignet there at Cafe Du Monde!!!! i remember how the sidewalks smelled like old pee, and the gorgeous water there! Of course, a poor boy sandwich is a must, and some green pea salad! Have fun!!!!

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    1. May be moving down in a month or so... came down on a scouting expedition. Well see... is love to garden here... everything GROWS!

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    2. That would be a very exciting move!!!!!!!

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  3. Anonymous6:12 AM

    Claude,

    Sounds like “Hotel Impossible” needs to be called in, lol. I will have to admit that hotels with history and a faded glory atmosphere intrigue me and I enjoying staying at such places “as long as” other patronage of a like mind. So with your report on the residences of the ward, I will take your advice and steer clear of this property should I visit “Norleans” in the near future. Sadly I have not visited the city of Southern Mystery post Katrina. Will be eagerly awaiting further travel reports from the city. Take care, be safe, have FUN. – gary

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    1. may be moving down here soon... came down to scout about. Heading back soon...

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