I had arranged for a copper enameling class on my first day in New Orleans. I couldn’t decide how to approach a town with such an outsized reputation. Feeling intimidated, I spent a big chunk of my first day wrapped in a cocoon of art.

The rest of the day was spent traversing the city on foot. The streets were atmospheric, the people eccentric in wholly original ways and the food was outstanding, but I just wasn’t feeling it.

Our second morning in New Orleans started out cold and damp. With temps in the low 40’s and no car, the multi-day “Hop-On Hop-Off” bus pass which had spent the previous day languishing in my pocket, now looked a lot more appealing.

I’ll just say it—I don’t like tours. Scheduled stops frustrate me. Crowds cramp my style. I prefer the road less traveled (of course, not THAT Road Less Traveled). But as I said, it was raining. And cold…

I feel guilty, but here’s the thing—I learned a lot! And from several different perspectives as well. Every time we got back on the bus, we had a different tour guide. And each of those tour guides had a different schtick. One guy sprinkled his tour with social commentary while another saw everything through beer goggles. The scenery drifted by at slightly faster than bike speeds, providing just enough time for first impressions, but leaving quite a bit to the imagination.

With a blog titled, Anything Can Happen Day, I’m somewhat embarrassed to say that nothing crazy happened to me during my two days in New Orleans. I met and chatted with both locals and visitors, saw art, architecture and even a strolling jazz band, and enjoyed two fabulous meals. Maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough. Next time NOLA.

Stay: Pontchartrain Landing RV Park is squeezed between shipyards and accessed via a poorly maintained road in East New Orleans, but I have no complaints. It was convenient and the park’s driver provided a running self-commentary during the daily shuttle trips that rivaled the paid tour for sheer entertainment value.

Play: If your idea of fun is a few hours spent learning (or fine-tuning) craft skills and going home with some really nice souvenirs, New Orleans Glassworks and Printmaking Studio is your Disneyland. Choose from workshops, walk-in experiences or a scheduled one-on-one. While I was learning cloisonné, Mike was practicing his glassblowing skills. A good time was had by all.

Eat: This is a foodie town, so I couldn’t pick just one restaurant. Muriel’s Jackson Square does not need my gushing review to bolster their reputation. It was a splurge, but I have to say that we enjoyed an exceptional meal there. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus stopped across the street from The Rum House on what turned out to be taco Tuesday. Our lucky day! The place was packed in the middle of a weekday and for good reason. This is the kind of food that makes you wish you could eat more.