...arrived Friday afternoon around 4:30, parked the rental, got registered and headed for the elevator. Waiting for the elevator, around the corner comes Mark and Murph, big grins, as usual. "We're in the bar, c'mon" one of them says. "Sure, sure, but let me get rid of these bags first", sez me, looking at my luggage on the floor. ."Ok, see you in a minute".

     Chris and I went to our room, unpacked, and headed back downstairs. In the bar I see Dick Murphy and his lady friend Vicky, Mark and Joe. Joe's wife Gail was absent, she was catching a later flight, and we'd see her later. Mark offers me a beer and points out Bob Cobb and Jim Noonan are already here, too. Jim was yakking with someone else and hadn't seen me yet, but Bob did! I raced over and hugged him impulsively. Didn't have to think, it was the natural thing to do. Bob's wife, Ruthann, came over and enthusiastically greeted us, she was very happy to meet another of Bob's old Farfan buddies. Bob is telling his old sea stories, remembrances of Farfan days, and is countered with the recollections of others. During a break in this group's conversation, I went over and said hello to Jim Noonan, and we shared memories for a bit. Shortly after he and Chris were getting along just fine, since each had Bronx, NY roots. Everyone was enjoying themselves, and it looked like this was shaping up to be a good reunion.

     We took in some sights, had dinner, more drinks, and had a long walk back to the Days Inn. Another bar stop during the walk. The night wore on, and we made arrangements to meet the next day. Murph slept in (what else is new?) but the rest of us went to Cafe Du Monde for cafe au lait and beignets, which is French for coffee and donuts, in case you didn't know. Apparently, this is a "must do" when you visit New Orleans, so I was glad to go along with it. I like coffee and donuts as much as the next guy. I did not care for waiting 45 minutes for coffee and donuts, though. Give me a Dunkin' Donuts and no wait any time, but that's just unsophisticated me.

     Then we did some sight seeing at Jackson Square, and took a short cruise on the Paddle Boat "Natchez" We were enthralled by the exciting narration which came over the loud speakers pointing out historical landmarks, and the history of the River Walk area. Not. Actually, we sat on the opposite side of the riverbank, drank our beverage of choice and yakked about what we were interested in, and paid little attention to the running monologue of our paddleboat hosts. Great fun, once again.

     Back to the hotel for a rest then a night out on Bourbon Street, not completely unlike "K" street of old. Sights, sounds and smells. Wild goings on, unusual people, semi naked people, more than one person nearly completely immobilized by overindulgence in some intoxicant. Yep, not unlike K street. Woo-hoo!! Street entertainment, live music and great food everywhere.

     Sunday morning we had coffee in the hotel breakfast nook. They had a breakfast buffet, laughing out loud. Lousy food, not just cold, but tasteless too. Jim Noonan had a great name for it, something like "land fill for the stomach" - anyway as funny as it was at the time, I'm not sure I remember it exactly now.

     Bob and Ruthann had to leave this morning. Bummer. We said our goodbyes, some of us with a tear in our eyes. We're sure they'll be back next year, though. I made a phone call to Murph's room to make sure he got downstairs to say his goodbyes. You see, Murph is a night owl, likes to stay out way late and sleep in the next day. Damn, he makes it difficult on those of us who still have to work for a living and wake up automatically at 5AM. Anyway, he got down in time, so we all took a group photo before Bob and Ruthann departed.

     Some of us then went for a tour of the historical homes and mansions in the Garden District, I think they call it. This tour also included a Cemetery tour (well a "view" actually, closed Sunday) of the well known above ground burial plots. At the end of the tour, it was time for Jim, Joe and Gail to leave. More sad goodbyes. See you next year guys!

     Next, a trolley ride for lunch, then back to the hotel for a rest. I don't remember having to rest so much back in the Canal Zone. Hmmm.

     After resting up a bit, off to Bourbon Street once again. Went back to "Howl at the Moon". Happy Hour - 2 for 1 - sounds like a deal. Met a nice group of young folks there. Turns out the guys are active duty Army men out for a night with their wives and/or girlfriends. These young men looked like a wrestling team, big boys! They bought us a round, we bought them a round. Party time. The guys were pleased to find out we were a group of Navy veterans, and we thanked each other for our service to our country. Finally, Mark, Chris and I said our goodbyes to the Night Owls and went back to the hotel. Mark had an early flight, ours later in the day.

     Chris and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time in New Orleans. It was our first visit. After we got home, we decided we'd like to go back again some day. As it turns out, New Orleans it one of the choices for our next reunion, and we probably will vote to do it again. This city is one of the most tourist friendly places we've visited. Easy to get around, so much to do!