Chapter 2 The (un) Adjustment
I just want everyone to know that CrimeCon is $300 this year. But Michael Baden will be there. Worth it??
Anyway, it's 5:23am, and I haven't slept yet. It's been extra difficult to drink water or take care of myself. Juan, on the other hand, seems very happy and almost back to his old self! He has a job now and is just doing adult things. We're gonna let him get in a rhythm before he does GED school.
I. Love. New Orleans.
Or at least the area right next to it called Chalmette. This place is on another planet from Utah. I'd even say this is Utah's polar opposite sister state. More than Cali. More than New York.
Why is that?
#1: Alcohol
Utah is infamous for being a sober state. Two of the driest cities in the country are in Utah. It was also THE FIRST state to lower the legal limit to .08.
They don't call Louisiana "The Big Easy" for nothing! They sell hard liquor in their grocery stores. At gas stations. You can walk around with an open container. On Bourbon street, everyone has an alcoholic beverage in hand (at night, anyway). Also? Drive-thru Daiquiri shops everywhere.
#2: Weather & Climate
Did I mention Utah is dry? It's so awful and difficult to try and hydrate your skin. They have the best snow and beautiful mountains, but goodness it's dry AF.
Louisiana? Wet. Foggy. Cold, right now, but usually humid and sweaty. Well, it also rains a TON. It rains all the time! More than Oregon, I think! I love it.
#3: Gasoline
It's just a lot cheaper here. I saw it for $1.99 yesterday.
#4: Bodies of water
Everywhere. Swamps, oceans, that "lake" (lagoon) Pontchartrain, the Mississippi, etc.
#5: Spelling and pronunciation
It seems dang near every city or landmark or whatever is french or spanglish. Nothing is pronounced the way it looks. Most importantly, if they can spell it with "eaux" instead of 'o', they will.
#6: The roads were built by psychos
Besides the plethora of potholes and bridges, there is a giant lack of two-way streets. Even the few streets that look like normal two-way streets are, in fact, not. With these big a$$ medians in the road, every left turn is a U-turn.
#7: People are actually nice here
Generally speaking, everyone is nice in Utah, but it's like a uptight, fake-esque nice. Here, people are actually nice. Southern hospitality, maybe? It's subtle, but in Utah, they say: "hi, how are you?" And don't actually care. Here, people pause and wait for an answer. I'm taken aback everytime. They like...ask questions, expecting answers. Weirdos. Also love being called "baby", "love", "sweetheart", "daw'lin", and even "queen".
#8: The Demographic/Culture/History
Utah is 2% black. New Orleans is 60% black. Big difference. And color doesn't really have to do with anything, but there is a cultural difference for sure. In fact, there's just a TON of culture and history here period. Utah has near everyone beat on Mormon history, but no one comes close to New Orleans. I might turn into my dad and visit some historical sights sometime..
#9: Color!
Not only do the people vary in color, the houses do too! Every house is so colourful, and we actually like it that way here! Yes, to some it looks trashy, but you have to just come see it for yourself. It's such a beautiful place to drive through. Utah? The homes are almost all very nice and beige/white. Cookie-cutter by comparison. Some people are into that too.
#10: Crime
I've seen a crime scene almost everytime I've been here, which is definitely different. I try not to carry large sums of cash. In the city, I let Juan carry our money because lil foreigner white girl is easy pickins. I also don't crack the Windows, which may be an issue when it gets hot. We'll see.
Anyway, I'm working actively on getting a job for now, and learning more about this beautiful state every day. Until next week!
Anyway, it's 5:23am, and I haven't slept yet. It's been extra difficult to drink water or take care of myself. Juan, on the other hand, seems very happy and almost back to his old self! He has a job now and is just doing adult things. We're gonna let him get in a rhythm before he does GED school.
I. Love. New Orleans.
Or at least the area right next to it called Chalmette. This place is on another planet from Utah. I'd even say this is Utah's polar opposite sister state. More than Cali. More than New York.
Why is that?
#1: Alcohol
Utah is infamous for being a sober state. Two of the driest cities in the country are in Utah. It was also THE FIRST state to lower the legal limit to .08.
They don't call Louisiana "The Big Easy" for nothing! They sell hard liquor in their grocery stores. At gas stations. You can walk around with an open container. On Bourbon street, everyone has an alcoholic beverage in hand (at night, anyway). Also? Drive-thru Daiquiri shops everywhere.
 |
| Ghost car |
#2: Weather & Climate
Did I mention Utah is dry? It's so awful and difficult to try and hydrate your skin. They have the best snow and beautiful mountains, but goodness it's dry AF.
Louisiana? Wet. Foggy. Cold, right now, but usually humid and sweaty. Well, it also rains a TON. It rains all the time! More than Oregon, I think! I love it.
#3: Gasoline
It's just a lot cheaper here. I saw it for $1.99 yesterday.
 |
| Also Palmtrees |
#4: Bodies of water
Everywhere. Swamps, oceans, that "lake" (lagoon) Pontchartrain, the Mississippi, etc.
#5: Spelling and pronunciation
It seems dang near every city or landmark or whatever is french or spanglish. Nothing is pronounced the way it looks. Most importantly, if they can spell it with "eaux" instead of 'o', they will.
 |
| Breaux. |
#6: The roads were built by psychos
Besides the plethora of potholes and bridges, there is a giant lack of two-way streets. Even the few streets that look like normal two-way streets are, in fact, not. With these big a$$ medians in the road, every left turn is a U-turn.
 |
| Your average road |
#7: People are actually nice here
Generally speaking, everyone is nice in Utah, but it's like a uptight, fake-esque nice. Here, people are actually nice. Southern hospitality, maybe? It's subtle, but in Utah, they say: "hi, how are you?" And don't actually care. Here, people pause and wait for an answer. I'm taken aback everytime. They like...ask questions, expecting answers. Weirdos. Also love being called "baby", "love", "sweetheart", "daw'lin", and even "queen".
#8: The Demographic/Culture/History
Utah is 2% black. New Orleans is 60% black. Big difference. And color doesn't really have to do with anything, but there is a cultural difference for sure. In fact, there's just a TON of culture and history here period. Utah has near everyone beat on Mormon history, but no one comes close to New Orleans. I might turn into my dad and visit some historical sights sometime..
#9: Color!
Not only do the people vary in color, the houses do too! Every house is so colourful, and we actually like it that way here! Yes, to some it looks trashy, but you have to just come see it for yourself. It's such a beautiful place to drive through. Utah? The homes are almost all very nice and beige/white. Cookie-cutter by comparison. Some people are into that too.
 |
| I stole this picture. Be mad. |
#10: Crime
I've seen a crime scene almost everytime I've been here, which is definitely different. I try not to carry large sums of cash. In the city, I let Juan carry our money because lil foreigner white girl is easy pickins. I also don't crack the Windows, which may be an issue when it gets hot. We'll see.
Anyway, I'm working actively on getting a job for now, and learning more about this beautiful state every day. Until next week!
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