Charmy's 2013 ANA NEW ORLEANS SHOW REPORT w/Lots and Lots of Pics!

Phew, what a week! New Orleans is quite a city! I arrived in New Orleans with my hubby last Sunday afternoon so we could have a few days experiencing the city together before the show started since this was the first time either of us had ever been there. Of course I took a lot of photos of my adventures in the NOLA, so while there are many coin-related photos later on in my report, I hope you will indulge me a little during the first part of this report which is more about the City of New Orleans and all its charms. So here we go on Charmy’s Big Easy Adventure!

It started with yummy Bloody Mary’s with my hubby Lou at the OC airport






While we were waiting for our flight to take off, I looked out the window and watched the baggage handler loading the suitcases, one of which looked familiar – that’s my bag with the lime green tag!





I had ordered this New Orleans Visitor’s Guide so I had something to read on the plane


The Mississippi River shortly before we landed in New Orleans




Since Rick Snow once lived in New Orleans, he had some friends he wanted to visit so we coordinated our trip and he also arrived on Sunday. He was very kind to pick us up at the airport in a beautiful brand new sparkling blue Dodge, and then he toted us around the city - he made an excellent tour guide



The Mercedes Superdome where many of the victims of Katrina stayed


A beautiful cathedral right alongside the highway


After we settled into our hotel, we started exploring the city.



There were lots of “interesting” sites we saw while walking around in New Orleans, including this Mardi Gras joker statute


And this guy – whatever he is


This is the St. Louis Cathedral behind Jackson Square – it’s the oldest cathedral in the United States


Stonewall Jackson statute


Our first dining experience in New Orleans overlooking Bourbon Street


Very yummy crab cheese bake


Walking around on Bourbon Street






This was hilarious! This dog would lay there on his back and not move an inch!




There were several of these “Rick’s Saloons” so, of course, we had to take photos of Rick underneath “his” saloons!




One of the many fantastic bands playing in a pub on Bourbon Street


Of course I had to try on one of the famous Mardi Gras masks!


Bead-throwers!




As you can see, I acquired several bead necklaces, but I take the 5th on HOW they were acquired!


Another great music venue






An interesting bookstore that was packed from ceiling to floor


More great pubs we checked out






These guys at the Funky Pirate were fantastic!!!


On Monday, we decided to take a river boat cruise so we had lunch at a restaurant near where the ship launched. These drinks were very tasty but also pricey!


Rick and his New Orleans friend, Clay


Our riverboat – The Natchez – the only steam-only paddle boat on the river




While we were waiting to board the ship, a woman played a steam-powered organ on top of the ship – the puffs of smoke are actually steam coming from the organ. It made a wonderful carnival sound.


This is a photo of the photograph taken as we were boarding the ship


The paddlewheel


A view of St. Louis Cathedral from the river


Leaving the city


Some of the sites along the river – remnants of Hurricane Katrina


Domino Sugar Mill - the oldest sugar mill in the world


Heading back to the city





Greater New Orleans Bridge


Later that evening we went over to the Crazy Lobster restaurant at the River Walk




Lou wanted something light so he ordered what he thought were some simple fish tacos, but what he got were these huge tacos stuffed with big chunks of breaded fish! He couldn’t even finish all three!

 

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The next day – Tuesday – we visited the old New Orleans Mint building








Although the museum was rather sparse, there were several interesting items on display



















There is a jazz museum on the second floor of the Mint building






After we visited the mint, we walked around the city some more. We came upon Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and stopped in for some refreshments




This very tasty beverage was called “It’s 5:00 somewhere”!


We then walked back to Bourbon Street and took a rest at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop bar – it was built between 1722 and 1732 by Nicolas Touze and is reputed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States.

 

Our next stop was at Tropical Isle where we tried their famous “gremade” which they taut as the strongest drink in New Orleans!










Then we went across the street to a little diner that advertised “the world’s best hamburgers” so we asked them what made their burgers so great. They said it was the hubcaps they used when cooking the burgers!! By the way, they didn’t discriminate, they used both Dodge and Ford hubcaps!! While their burgers were very good, I wouldn’t say they were quite the “world’s best.”







After lunch, we took a bus tour that took us all around the city, including the 9th Ward, the Garden District, a cemetery, etc.

These are referred to as “shotgun” houses – which means that you could open the front door, shoot a shotgun, and it would exit out the back door!




Many of the homes in the 9th ward were once occupied by plantation slaves. These homes were then given to the slaves after the Civil War, and then the homes were passed on down from family member to family member. Since the residents felt comfortable that the levy system would keep their homes from flooding, they didn’t feel the need for flood insurance. After Katrina, many of the residents couldn’t afford to rebuild, so they simply left and didn’t return.



When this brick and green house was rebuilt, it was built up high so it wouldn’t be as affected by any future floods


These are the notions that were made on each house as they were inspected after Katrina. The number to the left of the circle referred to the number of deceased pets found at the house, and the number on the bottom referred to the number of deceased persons discovered at the house


A great number of New Orleans’ musicians were displaced by Katrina, so thanks to donated time and money, beautiful colorful new homes were built along one long block specifically for these musicians – this street is known as Musicians’ Row.


We were then taken to the Garden District where the more wealthy residents live. Though their homes were equally damaged by flooding from Katrina, they had insurance and quickly rebuilt their homes.


This house has two separate entrance stairs, one for men and one for women – so that the men wouldn’t get a glimpse of any of the lady’s ankles!




If you look closely, you can see this tree is covered with strings of beads!


We learned that everyone is buried above ground in crypts due to, of course, the water levels. A family buys one crypt and each family member is buried there, sometimes several hundred in one crypt.



And each family member is responsible for the upkeep of their own crypt. The crypts on the right are owned by poor families, many of whom are no longer around or can’t take care of the crypt.



After the tour, we wondered around the open market area.


Then it was back to Bourbon Street!





Wednesday was dealer set up day at the convention center. The New Orleans Convention Center is the largest convention center I’ve ever seen!







Our hotel was across the street from Hall C but the show was held in Hall G – about ½ mile away!

The ANA had a very nice large prominent rotating sign in front of the convention center


I recently applied for membership in the PNG so I attended the membership meeting held just before set up time at the convention center. There was excellent information discussed about, among other things, the so-called “internet sales tax” bill. Also, during a brief break, a wonderful saxophone player came in and played “Happy Birthday” to one of the members!



After I had my booth set up, I wondered back to the exhibit area and took some photos of the ANA’s exhibits.



















This was a very interesting collector exhibit about coin counting boards




Rick had this very rare Confederate Cent at his table



After set up, there was a PNG coktail reception which was a great opportunity for me to meet other PNG members, not to mention try some “exotic” hors devours like these alligator pieces!





Gary Adkins and his newest employee, Chase


Gary and the new ANA Executive Director Kim Kick


Tom Hallenbeck and Rick Snow

 

After the reception, a group of us took a couple taxis to Emeril’s Demonico for dinner. However, there was an abandoned package left at this intersection, so it was closed off and a ton of police and fire engines descended on the area which effectively shut down several streets, including the one we were on. So we simply got out of the taxi and walked the rest of the way to the restaurant.


This was a house we passed along the way that was covered in Mardi Gras beads!


We finally reached Emeril’s Demonico


And ordered this array of hors devours








And of course a nice bottle of wine!


On Thursday morning this high school jazz band was playing in the registration lobby just before the show opened to the public


Opening ceremonies




Throughout the day, the show was slow to fill up with collectors and many dealers reported poor retail sales. So by early afternoon, there was more dealer to dealer business, as well as dealer socializing than usual!

My hubby headed home on Wednesday, and since he’s not much of a gambler, I waited to play poker until after he went home. So after the show on Thursday, I finally got to play some poker at Harrah’s casino which was just down the street from our hotel


We first had dinner at their exquisite steakhouse – this is a wonderful seafood bisque I had


The poker room – this time I played 1-2 no limit and ended up $400 ahead!



Early Friday morning I was woken up by loud pitter-pattering of rain on my window. When I turned on the tv, I found out we were having a “severe” thunder and lightning storm, with some areas around the outskirts of the city under tornado watch! The tv then went out so I headed downstairs for some breakfast, where a warning soon sounded requesting that everyone evacuate the hotel. I asked the service staff what we were supposed to do and they said that when we see the staff leave, that’s when we should leave. Apparently, they receive a lot of false alarms – that was a bit disconcerting!




After breakfast, we headed over to the show of course! The show must go on!! A very kind hotel staff member with a huge umbrella graciously walked me across the street to the convention center so I wouldn’t get soaked.

Business seemed to pick up on Friday. I sold a couple Matte Proof Lincolns and one of my 1955/55 doubled dies. I was also able to pick up some nice new pieces for my inventory.


I only saw a few non-dealer forum members at this show – this is Kirk/Kirkuleez (CoinTalk) who brought me this very intriguing bottle of Louisiana Cajun Spiced Run!!!




This is a good customer friend of mine, Michael, and his very special Rag Doll service kitty. Michael has severe bouts of PTSD and this beautiful 18-pounder kitty is able to detect when one of his spells is coming on and meows loudly and consistently, and then comforts Michael. He even has an official service ID card.




This is the wine I bought at a local liquor store to have and share during the show. They are not the best wines, but they did fine in a pinch, especially considering they cost 3 times what I would pay in California for the same bottles!


PCGS wasn’t doing onsite grading and were only receiving submissions to take back to the office for grading, so they didn’t seem quite as busy as they usually are at these shows, but they were just as gracious and friendly as always!


I dropped off several Conder tokens for grading at NGC – they too are so friendly and helpful!


This is Michael Ellis, an ANA board member


And Grey Lyon, another ANA board member as well as CU forum member


It was still raining when we left the show on Friday evening







Our dinner reservations weren’t until 8pm, so we stopped off at this little pub not far from our hotel before dinner







Since the restaurant we were meeting at was right on Bourbon Street, we wondered around before dinner. Being Friday night, and since the rain had stopped, it was starting to get crowded





This painted blue dog artwork turned up quite a bit all over New Orleans




This is the back of St. Louis Cathedral


We walked around to the front of the cathedral and when I was taking this photo of Rick and Ron, I noticed the cathedral doors opened.




And suddenly a wedding party came walking out of the cathedral!




There was even a jazz band playing while the bride and groom and wedding party danced!

 

Then a large group of us met at Court of the Two Sisters for dinner in the French Quarter, which has an interesting history. It is named for Emma and Bertha Camors, sisters who once owned a notions and fancies shop. Emma and Bertha belonged to a proud, aristocratic Creole family; their “rabais,” or notions, outfitted many of New Orleans’ high society women in formal gowns, lace, and perfumes imported from Paris. With a larger courtyard than its neighbors, the residence lent itself to visitors, and the sisters’ shop received many. Marriage, reversals of fortune, widowhood--nothing could separate the two sisters. Indeed, as the Picayune was to report, the sisters died within two months of each other in the winter of 1944. They lie side by side at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, united in death as in life.



This is a “Charm Gate” plaque right outside the restaurant – so of course I had to have a photo with it!


The bar inside the restaurant


Our dinner group – from left going around the table: Glenn Holsonbake/PonyExpress, me, Ron, Neil (Rick’s friend) and his wife Barbara, Rick Snow, Neil’s daughter’s friend Alex, and Neil’s daughter Megan


Though I’m really fond of turtles, I decided to give their turtle soup a try – and it wasn’t bad, sort of tasted like chicken


It went well with this nice bottle of Mondavi Cab (well, what doesn’t go with a nice Cab!)


Then it was out last night in New Orleans so we did one last tour of Bourbon Street where I acquired even more Mardi Gras beads (again, I take the 5th on how I got them!)


After Bourbon Street, we headed down to Frenchman Street where we heard the locals go for some great jazz music. But it was so crowded that we couldn’t even get in to see any of the bands, so we just walked around. I thought this sign was intriguing


Back at the show on Saturday, many of the dealers sort of wondered in a little more later than usual! Seems many of them did the same thing we did on Friday night! I took these photos around noon on Saturday – it was starting to grow sparse.




Here is Glenn Holsonbake/PonyExpress manning his table!


Rick had this beautiful medal in his case from the 1972 ANA show in New Orleans





Then it was time to pack up and head home. I had such a great time in New Orleans, so much good food and beverages, and lots of fun with my hubby and friends! But I have to say, that after a week of carousing, drinking and eating, and working at the show, I was very ready to go home!

Me so happy to be heading home!!!





I changed planes in Denver and after we took off, I really enjoyed flying over the majestic Rocky Mountains






I finally arrived home late Saturday night, and went straight to bed. I was so exhausted that I slept at least 12 hours! It is so good to be home…..

Next up – well, we actually have tickets to see the Rolling Stones in concert on Wednesday at the Honda Center in Anaheim – I AM SO EXCITED since they are the last group I had on my bucket list of groups I hadn’t yet seen in concert.

Then, it’s the Long Beach show in early June, then I will be off to the ANA Summer Seminar the end of June!!

 

My dad went to NO and its one of the most favorite times of his life. Ive never been but would love too, especially for the food.

Great photos as always.

 

One more Gr8 Charmy post!!:thumb:!!
You need a old roadie?:biggrin:?

 

I went to a lot of those same places some years ago! Brings back some great memories, thanks for sharing.

 

Great photos and commentary as usual. Thank you
and best wishes for your PNG membership.

 

Great pics. Never been to NO, so it was like you were my tour guide. I compliment Rick on his snazzy dress shoes and socks with shorts look he had going.
Guy

 

Never been there before, but those pictures were amazing!!

 

Thank you everyone! We'd never been to New Orleans either and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The only thing we were a little surprised about were the prices of the drinks on Bourbon Street - but that didn't stop us from enjoying them. Now we are detoxing and dieting!!

 

Clicked the "Like" link only once, but that applies to the entire topic. Great that you and your husband also had the time to do some sightseeing. Thanks for posting these!

Christian