December 15, 2004

December 15, 2004

Breaux Bridge & Lafayette, Louisiana

DAY 181

 

Gee ... and I've been critical of the ignorance of "Merkins". I thought Santa coming from the North Pole, in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, was universal in North America. NOOOOO ... here in Cajun country, children have to leave lights on outside on Christmas Eve, so Santa can see his way as he comes down the Mississippi River. In a Cypress pirogue, no less ! A pirogue is a Louisiana dug out canoe sort of boat.

Joanne loves the zydeco Christmas carols we keep hearing on K-BON, the Cajun radio station we are listening to down here. We've got to get a Cajun Christmas Carol CD.

This morning we headed into Lafayette, just a short distance away. We found our way to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, to see Cypress Lake. Cypress Lake is about a one acre swamp in the middle of the campus, with Spanish Moss covered Cypress trees, and alligators. It was only listed in one of the many tourist brochures Joanne picked up, and she wanted to see it. It was interesting. The kids on campus seem to take it for granted. "Oh, yeah ... the swamp".

Louisiana seems to be mostly swamp. I can't figure out the naming protocol. Some swamps are called lakes. Some are called rivers. Some are called bayous. Some are called swamps.

After Cypress Lake, we found our way to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park / Acadian Cultural Centre. We watched a couple of movies about the history of the Acadians / Cajuns, and wandered around their Cajun museum. Very interesting. From there we drove back towards Breaux Bridge, with a little detour to see nearby "Lake" Martin. We drove all the way around the lake. I have no idea why this swamp is called a lake. What a fascinating place. Signage on the side of the road on the levee around the swamp warns of aggressive alligators. As opposed to the docile ones ? ? ?

Finally, we made a stop at Poché's Market, the butcher shop owned by the same people who own the RV park we're camped at. We bought a whole bunch of Cajun specialties, for the freezer. I'm a little leery of some of them. Wish me ( and Mr. Colon ) luck.

We returned to the trailer to walk Bo, and feed Teddy and Bo, before heading out for supper at Mulate's, a well known local upscale Cajun restaurant. I had alligator for supper. I kid you not ! Joanne had catfish and shrimp étouffée. I ate the shrimp. Drank bourbon for the first time ( well ... except for the mint julep at the plantation the other day ). HEY ... Mr. Colon ... here comes some deep fried alligator and Jack Daniel's. Laissez les bons temps rouler !

DSK