Six Months of Travel | 2015

I found it extremely difficult to put together a June monthly favorites mainly because I have been too busy to do much of anything new. My weekends were spent traveling, running errands, or working, which doesn't leave a lot of room for new "favorites" to share with you. Instead, I thought I'd sum up 2015 with a list of my travels… so far.

EDINBURGH 

WORCESTER

BATH

GALVESTON

NASHVILLE

NEW ORLEANS

DALLAS 

LONDON

After moving back stateside, I was really unsure as to how my new traveling lifestyle would fit into my routine. I'm so grateful I have managed to still make travel a priority, while exploring parts of my home country I have never seen before. 

What is something you are proud of accomplishing in 2015 so far?

Happy Monday!
xoxo

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 | New Orleans

The American cemetery is always an interesting place to visit. Each cemetery provides a unique and fascinating tale of the city it serves as well as the hardships the people of that city have gone through. From family plots to epidemics overflowing the cemetery itself, each American cemetery can paint a picture of life and death.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 was an unexpected find. Amongst the beautiful Victorian mansions in New Orleans' Garden District, the cemetery itself seems to appear out of nowhere. Founded in 1833 in the city of Lafayette (the boundaries of New Orleans did not reach Lafayette until 1852), Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 was built during a a mass migration of Europeans to the American south. Germans, Italians, and Scandinavians alike can be found buried in this overgrown and crowded cemetery.

Looking at the dates, my college roommate and I discovered two sad trends while visiting the cemetery. The first was the obvious trend in deaths during the yellow fever epidemic that took place in New Orleans during the 19th century. The second trend was the horrific amount of children buried there. The two were haunting reminders of the hardships people on the Gulf faced.

Visiting a cemetery can produce different reactions for different people. For me, death and horror are things that are inescapable as a historian. I find cemeteries fascinating and beautiful, an opinion that might not be shared by others. However, any trip to New Orleans feels so much more complete after visiting one of the many cemeteries that scatters the city. 

Interested in cemeteries around the world? Check out my post on one of England's most fascinating cemeteries, Arnos Vale.

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

The Garden District | New Orleans

We stood on the corner of Canal at Baronne on a warm Saturday morning excited for the adventure we had planned. Having only even really spent time in the French Quarter, Kaitlyn and I had never explored the outer neighborhoods of historic New Orleans. Thanks to TripAdvisor and my love for American Horror Story, we chose the Garden District as our destination.

Although we had access to a car, traveling by a New Orleans Streetcar seemed like a better way to get around. At only $3 for a day pass, traveling by streetcar was a unique way to see a part of New Orleans unfamiliar to me. The trip from Canal Street to Jackson Avenue took about 30 minutes, but once we arrived in the beautiful Garden District walking around was easy enough. Our first destination? Buckner Mansion, aka the American Horror Story Coven house. 

Buckner Mansion [as seen in the photos above] is known for being the setting for the third season of American Horror Story, Coven. Don't watch American Horror Story? You should. It's amazing. However, Buckner Mansion has a fascinating history of its own, being one of the best surviving examples of a 19th century southern mansion. Built in 1856 by the successful cotton merchant Henry Buckner, Buckner Mansion has served as a private residence, a school, and most recently a TV set throughout its existence. 

Buckner Mansion isn't the only sight to see in the Garden District. Rows of beautiful mansions line Jackson Avenue and Coliseum Street. Notable residents of this historic neighborhood include Nicholas Cage, Peyton Manning, and Sandra Bullock. 

[Sandra Bullcok's residence]

Your next supreme. #AmericanHorrorStory #NewOrleans #OfGoldenRoses

A photo posted by S a r a D a v i s (@sararosedavis) on May 30, 2015 at 8:40am PDT

Have you ever been to New Orleans? What were some of your favorite sights?

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

The French Quarter | New Orleans

The French Quarter is quite possibly the most iconic place in the American South. Jazz music and bright colors come to mind when I think of the vibrant Quarter. When visiting New Orleans the French Quarter draws you in. How can it not? With an exciting history and appealing atmosphere the Quarter is a melting pot of culture that is hard to pass up.

The French Quarter was constructed upon the founding of New Orleans to be the center of the bustling city. Although still referred to as the French Quarter, most of the French architecture in the neighborhood burned down during a 1788 fire that destroyed the city. The beautiful architecture you see today was built by the Spanish in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The atmosphere in the French Quarter is hard to explain. Tourist and locals alike flock to this historic neighborhood for a day (and/or night) of fun. Every block is home to good food and good music, so it's hard to be disappointed in where you chose to spend your time. If you are lucky you may even see a Second Line Parade, a tradition where a bride, groom, and all their guest walk the streets of the Quarter to the music of a brass band.

Sorry for the photo overload. I'm finding it very difficult to narrow down my 700 photos!

Happy Monday!
xoxo

A Weekend in the Big Easy

There is no place in the world like New Orleans. The mix of foreign and southern history creates a unique culture that can not be found anywhere else. It is easy to lose yourself in the idea of New Orleans: Voodoo shops in the Quarter, and fresh oysters straight from the Gulf. But trust me when I say the city itself has so much more to offer than images portrayed in television or in books. 

Our weekend didn't go exactly as planned. What was supposed to be a girls weekend with my old college roommates turned into a traveling nightmare. Our trip happened to coincide with one of the worst flooding seasons in Texas history, turning a trip for four into a trip for two. I was fortunate I reached New Orleans without a single delay or canceled flight. It was a miracle actually since Houston had been hit so hard by flood waters. I met up with the only other friend that could make it for a weekend of sightseeing and exploring. 

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in America. I had only been once before but this trip just confirmed my love for this vibrant and exciting city. I managed to leave the Big Easy with over 700 photos (I was there for no more than 48 hours mind you). I have so much to say and so much to share so don't be surprised when you see photos from my trip for awhile her on this little blog. 

Happy Thursday!
xoxo