Hobo Confessions #12 - Thou shalt not bring a 30 pound hobo-pack into a wine bar

February 4th -

Recap: Fri - Sat nights in Orlando are INSANE. 4-5 streets shut down right in the center. Megabus window seat is so legit. Bonus legroom. Wifi is superbad though. Trees planted in straight rows, reminds me of the Minecraft server. I'm wondering about Spanish moss' flammability, and its symbiotic nature with pine. Mostly pine when you get into the pan handle. Why is the speed limit so damn low in Ohio? Wut? 70's everywhere so far. "Eat like you mean it." -Hardees. "well, I had some kiwifruit earlier, but I was just kidding."

There's all these little paths off the freeway, right into the woods between Tallahassee and Pensacola. Houses? Utility/maintenance access? "Look twice for motorcycles." I can almost hear the drawl. Chookoh from Texas on the bus drank a 5th and slapped an Indian guy he works with, so hes decided to go home to Houston. I really like Chookoh. The south is friendly. I have a good feeling about this. The native New Orleans man gave us a tour on the bus randomly, and Chookoh told me about his former meth habit. AND THEN NEW ORLEANS.

I was not prepared for this. Neko fed me 3 plates of the highest class food. A fish of some kind cooked in paper, then a giant C.salad, then tiny noodles with big ol' shrimp. Insert 17 history lessons here. He's managed through 2-almost-jobs, and massive rent. Story of Elliot Ness beer. R bar. Black Penny Bar. Bikes in the night. Raucous laughter. Po' boys so big they are slung over your shoulder. Roommates - Jeanie and ________ are cool as shit. I'm basically welcome as I want. Where would I even go next y'know? Time to

find out. For now, we live as NOLAS. I'm already in love. Money supply is strong. For now. But all this food. Need to wash cloths. The first thing I see upon entering Bourbon Street is a transvestite. Very, very tall. The rest is pure mob rule. Cars need not apply. The women are hot, and drunk. He shows me "Moon Landing," right near the Mississippi River. Huge swells batter the city. Coffee, food, art, and booze in every direction. I must go back.

This is the journal entry of a man in shock, pleased to be done with the 13 hour bus ride from Orlando to New Orleans (NOLA, to save us some time). NOLA consumes your senses. Also note where I say my money supply is strong. That's going to change in the coming entries.

I did not fit in Neko's restaurant dining room at all. Not physically nor stylistically. I slung down my pack by the cooler in the kitchen, and was given a table with a view of the spectacularly lit and classy dining room. The tables, the people, the bottles lining the walls, everything glistened and sparkled in the track lighting. I did not glisten. I certainly wasn't sparkling. I could see actual dirt staining my khakis, and it won't be long until I create Pigpen dust clouds. If Neko hadn't been an old friend, I would have already been politely asked to leave. I rode the friend train to a full stomach and about 3 free Stellas. Thank you, Neko. You've probably added a day to my life.

Neko should be dead a few times. One of his most impressive survivals is the brain aneurysm he sustained while checking on a guy who was unconscious after a brawl at a strip club. His head was punted, and he faintly remembers sirens crying into the distance as his friends grabbed him and sped off. He woke up at his friend's house in the morning, and somehow didn't die in his sleep. He's one of the most impressive chefs I've ever seen, as well as an extremely supportive bro. Any adventuring party would be blessed to feature Neko. And I got him all to myself in NOLA. We used to make trouble together before he moved away to become a fantastic cook. Which is exactly what he did.

New Orleans welcomes me with open arms, and we embrace. I can hardly think of a reason to leave.

(A taste of New Orleans, featuring Neko, and a 32" shrimp po' boy.)

Here are links to the confessions if you want to catch up! Follow along if you're enjoying, I would appreciate it greatly.

Hobo Confessions #1
Hobo Confessions #2
Hobo Confessions #3
Hobo Confessions #4
Hobo Confessions #5
Hobo Confessions #6
Hobo Confessions #7
Hobo Confessions #8
Hobo Confessions #9
Hobo Confessions #10
Hobo Confessions #11
Hobo Confessions #12 <-- You are here
Hobo Confessions #13
Hobo Confessions #14
Hobo Confessions #15
Hobo Confessions #16
Hobo Confessions #17
Hobo Confessions #18
Hobo Confessions #19