I have just returned from a business trip in New Orleans, La. I have been there on only one other occasion, which was also a business trip. However, since I was there with some of my family, I did more sightseeing and picture-taking. These two things allowed me to learn and see much more of New Orleans – other than Café Dumont and their beignets!
How much do you know about this city Hurricane Katrina destroyed, yet is being slowly rebuilt?
1. Which of the following bodies of water does not border New Orleans? Lake Borgne; Lake Ponchartrain; Gulf of Mexico; Mississippi River.
2. Which of the following styles of cuisine is most associated with the city of Saints and Sinners? Southern; Cajun; Creole; French.
3. From the generals listed below, which one led U.S. forces in the Battle of New Orleans? Zachary Taylor; Winnifield Scott; William Henry Harrison; Andrew Jackson.
4. From the following famous jazz players, all came from New Orleans but one. Which one? Ella Fitzgerald; Al Hirt; Pete Fountain; Louis Armstrong.
5. One entrance into New Orleans is by way of the world’s longest bridge. What is it called? The Rigolets; The New Orleans Bridge; Huey P. Long Bridge.
6. In what year was New Orleans founded? 1703; 1705; 1710; 1718.
7. What style of architecture is prevalent in the French Quarter? French; Spanish; Italian; Renaissance.
8. Which of these is NOT a common nickname of New Orleans? The Big Easy; The City That Care Forgot: The Crescent City; Jazz Capital of the World; Paris of the South.
9. What is the three character airport code for New Orleans International Airport? LNO; MNO; MSY; NEO; NOW.
10. What does the popular New Orleans phrase, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” translate to in English? Do what you wanna; Let the temperature rise; Let the good times roll; Let the good temperatures come; Let it all hang out.
ANSWERS: 1. Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans is actually located about 60 miles north of the Gulf. 2. Creole. Creole cooking involves the combination of French and African styles with local ingredients. Cajun food is actually produced by the Cajun settlers of Southwest Louisiana. 3. Andrew Jackson. The Battle of New Orleans resulted in a rout of British forces during the War of 1812; however, the battle was unknowingly fought after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war, was signed. 4. Ella Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Va., although she made her singing debut at age 17, on November 21, 1934, at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. 5. Causeway. Pretty simple name for such a long bridge. The Causeway stretches about 24 miles connecting Metairie, the city’s largest suburb, to the North shore of Lake Pontchartrain. 6. New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French brothers Iberville and Bienville. 7. This one might fool some of you. The correct answer is Spanish. While originally constructed in the French style, a fire in the late 1700s led to a rebuilding of the structures during Spanish rule. 8. “Jazz Capital of the South.” The others are all well known descriptive nicknames for New Orleans. Kansas City actually claims the nickname “Jazz Capital of the World”. 9. MSY. “MSY” stands for Moisant Stock Yards, the name originally given to the land where aviator John Moisant died in a plane crash, and where the airport was later built and called Moisant Field until 2001. 10. “Let the good times roll!” is often heard during Mardi Gras.