There is no other city in the world where you can enjoy such variety of music in the streets. From the obvious Cajun/Zydeco to the dixieland Jazz, and everything between it. On almost every street corner you can find a band or a singer with a guitar. And every bar or pub has a band playing. Just stay away from the karaoke/cover band strip on Bourbon Street. Oh and if you ever see a parade following a street band, join in and get in to the groove... You might end up at the cemetary... paying your regards to some funky dude that just died. And you'll be drinking on his tap!

Floating above the city's sounds and songs, a sweet scent drifts in and entices the senses to pleasures yet unknown. The aroma leads the enthralled follower to 1039 Decatur Street. Beneath the green-and-white striped awning stands the Café Du Monde, home of the world’s finest coffees and desserts. As music plays outside the open-air café, pigeons descend in the square to gather discarded crumbs, and the ambience of "Paris in the Springtime" is complete. For less than five dollars, the connoisseur of tasty treats can enjoy a cup of café au lait (coffee and chicory blended with milk) and a fresh, warm beignet (deep-fried doughnut-like pastry dusted with powdered sugar). Of all the simple joys in life, this guilty pleasure ranks among the sweetest--no pun intended. In short, New Orleans's French Quarter is a montage of historical, artistic, delicious delights to be enjoyed by all who grace her fair streets.

Of all the streets in the French Quarter, Decatur Street is one that you cannot miss. Once called Levee Street until 1870, the street was named after Commodore Stephen Decatur in the US Navy who became a hero because of his tactics against Algerian pirates at Tripoli on the notthern coast of Africa. There are many things to see and do on this street:

1. At the heart of New Orleans, you'll find the Jackson Square, a bronze statue of Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans/ War of 1912, and the St. Louis Cathedral.

2. Even if you're not Catholic, the Cathedral is an amazing sight to see with its art and architecture.

3. On the sides of the St. Louis Cathedral are Pirate's Alley, a once black market to the pirates of New Orleans, the Cabildo, and the Presbytere.

4. The orange and white buildings on the sides of the Jackson Square are the Pontabla Buildings named after the Baroness Pontabla who survived being shot by her father-in-law. If you look closely, in the wrought-iron lacework, you can see the initials "AP". Her maiden name, Almonaster, and her married name, Pontabla. A little lagniappe: the Baroness had a crush on Andrew Jackson, and it was said that he wouldn't return her affections, or even tip his hat to her. The Baroness got the last laugh because the Jackson Statue now forever tips his hat at her (buildings).

5. Restaurants are plentiful on Decatur Street! Central Grocery Co. has your muffalattas and other Italian items. The Hard Rock Cafe has your typical American meal with hamburgers, steaks, salads, and cheesecake. Cafe Maspero is a New Orleans favorite for its red beans and rice, and other creole dishes. Cafe du Monde has your powdered sugar doughnuts called beignets, hot chocolate, and coffees.

6. There is plenty of shopping opportunities on Decatur. The Jax Brewery has a large shopping mall with restaurants. Some souvenir stores coexist on Decatur, but my two favorites are Jazz Funeral and House of Voodoo because of the selection and great prices.

7. House of Voodoo is a must-see store. As a shop for the paranormal enthusiasts with t-shirts, cups, and everything else as a souvenir from love and voodoo kits to Mardi Gras beads, the back of the shop is what you need to see. The back wall has a scene of a New Orleans' cemetery. The shop has a restroom, but I doubt you'd want to you use since a skeleton (who wasn't a customer) eternally occupies it. The shop Jazz Funeral, further down from the Brewery, has its own eerie carriage with a skeletal driver. And he makes a great postcard to send home to friends.

8. If you follow Decatur Street, it will turn into North Peters, and you begin to see the French Market. Another interesting place to buy souvenirs, but some may be pricey than others. Also, keep your purses and wallets where you can see them.

He would not leave his parking post unless he could get another couple to hop in so he could make his minimum fare. So we waited, and waited, and waited . . . finally, we were joined by another young couple and were relieved to begin our tour. By the way, there are blankets on the seats that came in very handy, as dusk was setting in, and let’s remember that it’s December.

He was difficult to hear because he did not turn around occasionally, so you can see his lips moving. We did catch a few notable facts, which I give you below.

1. At one time, the French Quarter was all of New Orleans. As the city grew, it extended beyond those boundaries. Several major streets make up the square, and they are Bourbon (most famous), Royal, Chartres, Decatur, Rampart, Dauphine, and Burgundy. On foot, we did the first four.

2. The French Quarter is less than a mile long and only half a mile across; try telling this to your feet as you amble along. It has become synonymous with the city of NO.

3. Royal Street had me literally jumping out of my seat; it is a mélange of galleries, funky and elegant shops, antiques, and ambulant musicians. In days of old, a streetcar used to run along this street. Behind St. Louis’ Cathedral was the area where Jackson plotted his battle plans. Also on Royal is famous haunted Lalaurie House.

4. Chartres Street is not as posh as Royal but has its own merits (a lot of bookshops, which sends me straight to heaven). Here you will find the nation’s first pharmacy, which is now a museum. We entered when we were on foot and did not stay for the tour. Remember Paul Prudhomme? Lines used to form around the block for a table at his restaurant. It’s still there, but there are no lines. New Orleans’ oldest playhouse is on Chartres, on the corner of Jackson. The Cabildo, now part of the Louisiana State Museum, was the site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase.

5. Decatur used to be considered dangerous at one time, but they fixed that. The Jax Brewery is an important shopping anchor together with the Canal Place Mall. This is where you can find the House of Blues, the Hard Rock Café, and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company among other well-reputed places. The first Café du Monde is also there, across the street from Jackson Square.

Your guide might be able to point out all the houses of ill repute, which can be on any of these streets.

It should really be called the "Spanish Quarter" because the city was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1788 and 1794 when it was under Spanish rule. The Governor, Don Francisco Luis Hector, had it rebuilt in Spanish style and most of the buildings in the French Quarter were built at that time. Since its creation, New Orleans had a reputation of being a very tolerant city, maybe a little too much for certain people, and you can witness it during Mardi Gras but also, every night on Bourbon Street.

So, you’ve been warned. If seeing young ladies take off their shirts and bras so they can get a plastic beads from unknown guys who are having a drink on one of the balconies is not your cup of tea, try to avoid the area during night and especially the weekend. I think you can put that on account of the Hurricane, the local cocktail, that you can recognize easily thanks to its red colour and served in a glass that vaguely looks like a giant champagne flute.

The French Quarter itself turns into a huge street party. The roads are packed with people overflowing from the bars dressed in all manner of weird and wonderful costumes, or in some cases nothing much at all. Anyone in normal dress is definitely in the minority. The streets are filled with people; at times it's difficult to walk, and if your group gets split up, don't expect to find them again.

We saw a music parade march through the crowd and joined the people dancing behind them; for a while, we were part of the entertainment and found a way through the masses.

It was a fantastic night--everyone in costume, everyone partying. It's an amazing atmosphere and, I think, one of the best places to be at Halloween.