I was #27 for a 4-day, so I put in 8 choices for trips. My first choice was a 3-day with a short RIC (Richmond, VA) overnight and a long MSY (New Orleans, LA) overnight. My best friend from high school in Seoul, South Korea is in Richmond, so I call my BFF!!
Me: Rosie! I’m coming to Richmond to see you! I got a trip there!
Rose: Kim! I’m in Colorado, but my family would love to see you!
I surprised her by getting a trip to see her, and she surprised me by not being there… 🙂 That’s OK because I love her family, and her mother was visiting, so I got to see them. She was seeing her son in Colorado who got accepted in the United States Air Force Academy! I love seeing my friends and family on overnights. It makes my trips rather surreal, and I forget that I’m working. I can’t believe I get paid to see friends!
Not only did I get to see my BFF’s family, I got to fly with good friends – Araceli Jasso and Wendy Wylie! When I saw the crew, it was definitely more incentive to choose this trip. We had some great moments such as meeting a very sweet man from the Grand Cayman whom we spoiled on the flight and getting off the plane in Grand Cayman to buy gifts. Another memorable moment was when Wendy and I came up the aisle, and a lady tried to get out of our way and not only slid into a row of seats, but she sat on a guy’s head who was sleeping! I have no idea how she did not see him at all… I couldn’t believe it!
In New Orleans, some crew members wanted to rest and go out later, so Captain Chris and I immediately went out as we were starving. We headed to the French Quarter and looked at restaurant menus along the way when we finally agreed to eat at Pierre Maspero’s. Well, just about everything on the menu looked delicious (and reasonably priced), and I was torn between the Shrimp and Grits (gulf shrimp lightly sautéed in white wine and butter with heirloom tomatoes, shallots, fresh herbs and Chisesi’s ham served over out creamy cheese grits) or the Blackened Redfish Alfredo Pasta (fettucine pasta tossed in creamy alfredo sauce topped with fresh Louisiana redfish, blackened with Cajun spices). I ended up trying the shrimp and grits which were magnificently divine!!! I savored every flavorful bite and got a “to go” box, so I can save money and have it for lunch the next day. I have to return and try the pasta…
If you are in New Orleans’ French Quarter area, go to 440 Chartres Street. You’ll get to experience the local flavor and won’t be disappointed! Ah-yiiiiiiiiii!
Crew Chew 
I’m starving reading this!:thanks
One of these days, we’ll have to work a trip to MSY together, and I’ll take you there! 🙂