Friday, and the first event was to stand with our student poster and answer questions from anyone who stops by….it was a long hour. J The posters were set up on easels in the expo hall where there was a breakfast given by the vendors – so actually, there were quite a few people around. The next sessions were not till after lunch, which, not wanting to spend the money for more hotel food, I had to buy an umbrella to walk to the mall as it was pouring rain again. It is always amaizing to me that the rain here doesn’t make it any cooler, just more humid!
My evening was terribly exciting including another trip to the gym followed by another walk to the mall attached to the hotel. I have to say the food options around the hotel are not especially great and I had the terribly healthy dinner of fried oysters and French fries as the only other options were scary looking Mexican food and sushi which was being served by non-Asians, never a good sign. I also can’t get over how expensive things are here – I know I am in a hotel(tax on the hotel room is 13%!!), but even the sales tax is 9%! Add that on top of standardized pricing at all the chain stores (Gap, Body Shop, etc.) and I don’t know how people afford it here with lower wages.
Thankfully, after several restless nights I collapsed in bed by 10 pm and got almost a full night sleep – always a challenge with me and traveling.
Saturday morning was an early one again with the first session at 8 am. After the first session, which was part 1 of 2, I realized I was really not getting anything out of it so I ditched the second and walked to the mall for lunch again. In killing some time I found a couple really cute boutiques. The first, Mignon Faget, was actually recommended by my friend Amy – I had no idea it was going to be so close to my hotel! I picked up a necklace and bracelet in sterling silver which I am very excited about. The second boutique was Francesca’s Collections – a fun and eclectic accessories store highlighting inexpensive jewelry with a decidedly New Orleans Flair.
I am now just getting ready for dinner with my Mom, Don and his two kids, Lyle and Leanne…