There's always the bus, which isn't as nice as the train, but leaves all the time, and is cheap.

Or a buffista who might be driving up to NYC and back, or something t /not actually offering until dates are on the table

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Maybe a possibility that Cass and I could meet you (ND and Nilly) in LA and travel up to San Fran as a caravan? We'll likely be traveling up on Thursday, which is when I think that you were planning to head up, and I'm going to pester Cass to go 101 so we can see the pretties.

Ooh, sounds interesting. And I don't require much in the way of pestering when it comes to pretties.

what's the best way to get from San Diego to LA without spending a ton of money? Is there a train?

Lee is right, Amtrak if it works. Otherwise you can ping me at my profile addy and I can give you other suggestions.

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Ooooh, New Orleans talk!

Copelandses are turning into "steak houses" all over the place, I wonder if that's what was meant? As far as I can tell, it's just an added menu. Copeland's Cheesecake Factory is a whole other thing that replaced Strayas.

Taxis from to/from the airport have gone up to $28 flat fare. Limo prices depend on how many people are in it and in some cases are cheaper than taxis. I can find the details if necessary.

For my money, the best Middle Eastern place is Lebanon's on Carrollton, which recently moved next door into the space that used to be an Italian restaurant, I forget the name. There's also Mona's and Byblos and Cafe Beirut. And Casablanca's, but that's in Metairie.

But what I came in here to say, is, I can help do any leg work that needs doing, information gathering and so forth. I am unemployed at the moment, so I have plenty of time to call around or go visit places or whatever, if that should be helpful.

Also, I just had my wedding reception at Embassy Suites in the Arts District, and they were super nice and very reasonably priced. Depending on how far in advance we signed the contract, rooms would probably be $100-150.

Oh, and the new streetcar line runs out to the cemetaries/City Park. Buses are air conditioned, streetcars are not.

I still haven't been to O'Flaherty's as I am a loyal denizen of the Kerry Irish Pub, proud home of the best pour of Guinness in the city, with live music every night, or just about.

And, judging by this year, which is totally unscientific, but still, the weekend of May 22 is technically off-season, but the weather was very pleasant indeed. Not sweltering at all.

(ETA: I don't know if this has been mentioned (I'm slowly catching up on all the discussion), but the French Quarter is not particularly wheelchair accessible, many curbs are rampless and sidewalks are far from smooth. Neither are streetcars, though buses are. Attractions and hotels generally are.)

(editing some more as I progress through previous discussion: there is an open container law on the books, I have not seen it enforced, but it could be at any time. otoh, it only applies when you are in a car. walking around with a plastic cup full of booze is actively encouraged)

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Just wanted to let the July 31st Rumpus folk who sent me their snail mail that invites were sent yesterday. RSVP date is July 10th and needs to include the following:

• when arriving and when planning to leave (any time between Friday the 30th and Monday the 2nd would be fine)
• if you're planning to bring a guest (just so I can get a rough count)
• if you are staying over, are you bringing a tent etc., or are you looking for a piece of floor/couch/bed inside (I likely won't know who's sleeping where until that night--I think I'll just let everyone know where the possibilities are and let you all decide! I am so not assigning bedmates.)

Also? Ordered two air mattresses last night and a couple of little inflatable pads. Going to be a full house, looks like! I am going to try to accomodate everyone who would like to stay over...we'll fit you all somehow.

Six weeks! Any questions, snail mail addy good.

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What's a muffy? I am intrigued.

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Kate, if your question is about one of the New Orleans posts, a muffy is almost certainly a muffaletta, which is a kick-ass sandwich.

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'Tis a sandwhich ...

[muhf-fuh-LEHT-tuh] A specialty of New Orleans, this HERO-style sandwich originated in 1906 at the Central Grocery, which many think still makes the best muffuletta in Louisiana. The sandwich consists of a round loaf of crusty Italian bread, split and filled with layers of sliced PROVOLONE, Genoa SALAMI and ham topped with "olive salad," a chopped mixture of green, unstuffed olives, PIMIENTOS, celery, garlic, cocktail onions, CAPERS, oregano, parsley, olive oil, red-wine vinegar, salt and pepper. The olive salad is what sets the muffuletta apart from any other sandwich of its ilk. [GourmetSleuth.com]

It is of the yum.

ETA: x-post, of course

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Oh, holy crap, I'm hungry.

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Oh my god, that sounds amazing. Mmm, olives.

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Cripes. The only muffaletta I've had is the turkey muffaletta from Jason's Deli, but that sounds forty times better (if it comes in turkey).

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