January 5th Part Two

I keep mentioning Ireland in my blog posts, but it difficult not to because I see so many similarities between Dublin and New Orleans. Something that very much interests me between those two cities is the impact of religion. Catholicism is the most popular religion in New Orleans, as it is in Dublin, but New Orleans celebrates their beliefs in very different ways. Mardi Gras is based off of the Catholic calendar. That is beside the point I am trying to make, but still just something I have noticed. What I am trying to say is I can feel the sense of community in New Orleans because of religion. When I went into the St. Louis Chapel, I saw people praying and people constantly coming in to take pictures. It is a staple of New Orleans, and it is a church. Many of the more elaborate and beautiful buildings in New Orleans are there because of Catholicism. I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school for nine years, confirmed in the seventh grade, and all the other rituals that pertain to the Catholic faith. I have since had a falling out with my faith, and I have not been to church in quite some time. Being in the St. Louis cathedral and the Old Ursuline Convent has somewhat made me miss that feeling of community with other Catholics. Being in New Orleans and seeing the massive influence of the French Catholics, Spanish Catholics, and others has caused me truly think about what I used to so deeply believe in.
It was very interesting to be in the St. Louis cathedral, with the detailed statue of Joan of Arc, the baptismal font that has been used for years, and the portrait of Pope John Paul II, and then walk out of the cathedral and immediately see tarot card readers, palm readers, and self-proclaimed psychics. On top of that, this is completely normal in this city. Strangely, I love it. New Orleans is a city that loves tradition, and the traditions here are different and out there to me. But that is what makes this city so great in my eyes. On one hand of New Orleans there is this rich and interesting history and more traditional, if you will. And on the other there are psychics, voodoo, street performers, and plenty of fascinating artists who are outside of the norm.

The St. Louis Cathedral is right to the left of "Little Fae Sway" who does readings and gives spiritual advice

Speaking of artists, I thoroughly enjoyed the art on Frenchmen Street. I wish art was as big a deal in Peoria as it is in New Orleans. I bought a small print for five dollars from a man who looked so happy that I was interested in his artwork. Having no artistic ability myself, I told him how much I liked it and I loved how different it was. I do not think I have ever seen someone look at me with so much appreciation in their smile and eyes before. I bought a print from him, and then I bought three more prints from another artist on Frenchmen.

"Harpoon Blooz" by Typfy Art. Don't ask me why I love it so much.