Ningning Ansay Ortiz
Suisan, CA
Mid October was such a fortunate date for traveling; with clear skies, bright sun. As the plane approached New Orleans, the aerial view was mesmerizing. I thanked God for giving us such a wonderful place to live in, a place on earth we should treasure and enjoy.
New Orleans was so lovely; the big basin, that mark as its symbol expresses God’s love to mankind, grass and trees made it so clean and green, fresh air embraces me, feels so good.
In the city itself, as Helen and I traversed the street of Nashville towards the antique old trolley that goes back and forth St. Charles, Bourbon New Orleans, I closed my eyes and felt that I traveled back in time. The sound of the trolley reminds me of the 1800s. From the trolley, we heard voices with such distinctive accents that it was unforgettable.
I looked around and old beautiful houses caught my attention. They were built with unique architectural design that you rarely see elsewhere, rococo and baroque fashion, manifesting a style that would fit in the renaissance period.
I will always be fascinated with those houses. Part of the National Historic Register, these houses are to be preserved. As my cousin Baby Cora told me, when people purchase these houses, they have to agree not to change the design but just maintain it.
What attracted me also were the candles lit in each house by the door. I thought that they were fake, but I looked closely and they were real! They were lit all night.
Downtown was filled big hotels and establishments; tourist from different parts of the world flock in the busy streets, Mardi gras masks and necklaces were all over the stores. Trace of Katrina had been eradicated with the welcoming smile of the people of New Orleans.
The highlight of our trip was Jerson and Nan Zhao’s nuptials. After the wedding, with the generosity of Ander Resurreccion, my first cousin and classmate, and Marissa Maat his wife, invited us to visit Mississippi. So we went, with us were Ate Jean Resurreccion Perena and Reden her daughter and cousin Langling Janeo Tiongson.
With Langling on the wheel, we drove for 3 hours from New Orleans to Mississippi passing by Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the longest bridge in the United States measuring 23.87 miles (38.42 km) long. It was the longest bridge I ever crossed.
Traveling through Interstate 55, which could reach all the way up to Chicago, I saw the beautiful Louisiana countryside and once again thanked God his beautiful creation.
In Mississippi, we were so happy seeing my cousin Ander who is doing well, his two kids Troy and Andree Resurreccion who are both smart and good looking dudes. I love these kids. Magalang at maki pinsan.
We also went to visit Ate Lorraine Resurreccion Janeo’s grave, who was a member of faculty of the Cavinti Academy sometime in the 1960s and Dr. Purita Maat laid besides Ate Lorraine.
I would like to thank Langling Janeo, whom I didn’t see for such a long time and Oscar Tiongson her husband for inviting us in their house during our last few days in New Orleans, thank you for good gesture, you guys have a blessed and wonderful life.
And also the persons who reiteratedly invited us to the wedding were Baby Corazon and Jerry Lafuente,
I owe them a lot. If not for the invitation we wouldn’t be there to see the God given creation.
Salamat for the accomodation, such a lovely house to stay. Reminds of the Resurreccion ancestral house in Maypansol, that in ’50′s and 60′s we would go there and play at the staircase, jump up to the highest step, with Lodee and Anderafter which we would also play the luksong baka. Ah those were the days…
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