NALA Convention - New Orleans LA

The 32nd Annual Convention of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is now history. It was held in New Orleans, LA...and what a grand convention it was...a great time to learn, network, re-connect with old friends and make new friends.

There will be more about the Convention in my next post. First, I have to rave about New Orleans. The city is back in business and, as their banners proclaim, they're "jazzed" to have visitors. While I must admit my exposure to the city was limited to being transported from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to the Sheraton New Orleans on Canal Street and then the walking I did in the French Quarter, I have to say I saw a city open for business and anxious to please.

The Cafe du Monde still serves the best coffee and those fabulous beignet's...square pieces of dough fried and and drenched in powdered sugar. There's nothing like heading

down Decatur street as the sun is rising to join other early risers enjoying the coffee with chicory and devouring the heavenly beignet's. I did my best to bring several beignet's home on my hips ... they're worth every calorie. While most of my day was spent in meetings at the Sheraton, there was still time to sample some of New Orlean's finest restaurants in the evening: The mandatory Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's located at St. Peter and Bourbon Street; a fabulous filet mignon at Arnaud's at 813 Rue Bienville; and succulent Red Fish at Emeril's Delmonico.

The only downside to the trip was that it was too brief. There was not time for any tours and my list of restaurants to try is still long. This is definitely a city that merits a return visit. Do any of you have suggestions for places to visit/restaurants to try when I'm there again?