The state of Louisiana has got to be one of the most fascinating and confounding places the world has ever seen. The city of New Orleans, all on its own, is famous for being one of the most exciting places on earth, and it’s also one of the most bizarre. It’s known in some circles as the most European city on the continent, and that usually translates as a place that’s hard to figure out. Part of the trick of Louisiana is to get to the point where the mind stops trying to wrap itself around the scene, and give in to the enjoyment.
There is an awful lot to enjoy here. The food is a combination of French and West African flavors, modified over time with the evolving cultures, and it’s simply heavenly. If the food doesn’t get to one, then the hotels Louisiana offers surely will, with a level of hospitality that defines Southern style.
For many visitors, however, it’s the side attractions that really make the state sparkle, and one place not to miss is the UCM Museum , or Abita House. Found on the outskirts of New Orleans, it’s a pretty spectacular display of thousands of strange objects. It’s entirely reminiscent of the roadside attractions that used to dot Route 66, and it actually feels like every attraction rolled into one weird and wonderful place.
There’s plenty of strangely stuffed swamp critters that are creations of human minds gone into another realm. Half-mermaid people and alligators with fish mouths are just some of the items on display, and there’s always a sense of missing out on seeing half of everything. One of the most exciting exhibits is the Shard House , an old structure whose walls are entirely covered with pieces of broken glass and pottery. It’s one of the largest and most unusual mosaics around, and the style recalls a Kongo tradition for creating beautiful things out of discarded objects, showing a flash of the spirit that lies at the center of everything.
