I’m still recovering from my whirlwind trip to New Orleans and the 2011 New Orleans Witches’ Ball. What a blast! My hat’s off to Cairelle, Sarah, Camille and the rest of the committee. Didn’t make it this year? Save up for next. It’s worth it! They had a couple of bands
An interpretive dance
Folks dressed in really cool costumes
A “non-denominational” ritual at midnight (which, of course, I didn’t take a photo of), and too much food & drink.
A few things I learned this weekend:
1. Never, ever again use spray-on hair color. The last time I dyed my hair for a costume (20-mumble-mumble years ago), I used a temporary rinse. It washed out in 2-3 shampooings. I tried to get the same stuff, only to be told it was no longer available and “use this spray-on. It’ll work the same.” Yes, my hair was black. So were my hairbrush, hands, ears, anything that touched my hair even after the spray had dried. I was taking a shower at 2am, washing, rinsing & repeating so the white pillowcase wouldn’t be completely black five minutes after my head hit the pillow. (The white tub was black. I felt bad for the housekeeper.)
2. Wear flats to the Ball! I usually go barefoot or if I’m in heels, am mostly sitting. Walking around socializing did nothing more than kill my toes. (I finally noticed yesterday when unpacking that the lining in those particular shoes is rotting out. They’re old. Shopping, I think, is in order.)
3. Plan a couple more days in New Orleans. I only had Sunday to do the tourist thing and it definitely wasn’t enough time. Some friends and I made it to Café du Monde for coffee & beignets
and I did some walking around the French Quarter, ogling all the Hallowe’en decorations
I tried to pay my respects to Marie Laveau but no one, and I mean no one I spoke with knew that the cemetery closes at noon on Sundays. I got there at 12:15pm. Now you know.
4. Bring diluted vinegar & my “Skin Soother” cream with me. I was impressed with the hotel I stayed at but think its water is salt-softened. By last night, I was (and still am) a rash from head to toe. The last time this happened was when I visited my parents at their old home in Minnesota and they had a water softener. One shower: OK. Two: I start itching. Three: I start breaking out. The vinegar cuts the salt left on my skin; the cream keeps me from scratching & hastens the healing process (some of the herbs I use in it are chickweed, plantain & calendula – look ’em up).
5. Strengthen my shields before bed. Saturday night (Sunday morning) I slept fine as well as I usually do in a hotel. Sunday night I saw a couple of spirits in my room but hey, it’s New Orleans so I didn’t think much of it. However, my dreams were very disturbing, meaning I was rather groggy yesterday morning. I couldn’t sleep in because I had to head to the airport. I don’t know if the two incidents are related but I’m not going to take the chance.
I will definitely be returning … forewarned & forearmed the next time.