The Next Big Thing.

I thought ice cream trucks had disappeared since my childhood; Probably because I haven't lived in a kid-populated neighborhood in over 7 years (give or take). But here in the Lower Garden District of Nawlins, the ice cream truck is a regular sound byte during the warm months of the year - which is about 9.5 out of 12.

The first time I heard the jangling music blaring from a truck, I had a jumble of thoughts.

"Ice cream trucks still EXIST? Cool! A blast from my past!"
"Does anyone actually buy stuff from those guys?"
"Ew, I'll bet they're sketchy with a creepy guy handing out melty eskimo pies."
"Mm. Ice cream sounds good. I wonder how much an ice cream sandwich would cost...?"

AND THEN I DISCOVERED THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE ICE CREAM TRUCK:

The Cupcake Truck

I'm not making this up, guys, the Cupcake Truck exists and I can testify to having purchased a $2 red velvet cupcake with vanilla bean icing FROM A SIDEWALK on Magazine Street, and then eating the whole thing in about 7 seconds flat. It's a good thing I only had two dollars in my wallet at the time, because one was simply not enough.

They update loyal followers with their location via twitter and facebook posts, so we can know exactly which sidewalk to walk down on any given day. ...Nom, nom nom...

Cupcake Truck, you're my new favorite thing about this city.

The UWP really does exist

In response to the massive PILES of mail I've received asking about my most recent post (Hi Ham and Brandi!), this post is to assure you, dear readers, that everything I wrote is completely true.

Adam and I are currently very happily and comfortably installed in our new hostel home in New Orleans, LA. Our bosses are all friendly and fun and very relieved to have us take over this position for them, as they all have other projects going on that require their attention.

Our hostel website is www.aaebourbonhouse.com, and both Adam and I agree that as hostels go, this one is very respectable and amazingly affordable. Nicky and I would have been relieved to have camped in a place like this on our Europe trip - free internet, free breakfast (do-it-yourself, all-you-can-eat pancakes!), fabulous low prices and linens provided!

I understand that the United Watcher's Party is probably hoping for some NOLA/Nawlins/N.O./Big Easy pics, but you're going to have to wait.

Because: our 2-year adventure in Korea was abruptly cut short, and I wasn't finished with it. I have more posts I need to write, dangit!

And so, I'm indulging myself by setting aside the rest of July for recounting Korea memories. And I'm gonna try to post EVERY SINGLE DAY. Tantalizing prospect, isn't it?

"NOLA LIVE! The Adventure!" will premiere August 1st, on channel ABV. An auspicious start date, being our 1-year anniversary and my dad's birthday.  :)

Letter to the UWP

To the United Watcher's Party,
Attn: Eastern Bloc Chairman, Comrade Citizen hb-1

Thank you for your recent communication.  I feel that such an earnest and forthright plea deserves immediate attention, especially considering the desperate tone of your missive.

I must first make it clear that normally I do not cooperate with blackmail and threats. However, I realize that I am fully to blame for pushing you to such extremes through my unpardonable lack of recent blog posts.

Please be informed that this blatant disregard for the UWP has, as of yesterday, been replaced with renewed freedom and zeal for the interests of your party.

For reasons I can now freely disclose, I have had to keep my trap shut in regards to my current situation, which is as follows: Adam and I have quit our jobs in South Korea, and accepted positions in New Orleans, LA, USA as hostel managers for a local establishment of short-term residency, mostly populated by young, adventurous travelers.

I hope you will understand that this time-sensitive situation required a certain amount of delicacy that I wasn't sure I could maintain (especially with my heightened emotions and excited state of being).

I am currently installed in my newly-acquired management position, eagerly awaiting the arrival of my husband - who should arrive TOMORROW, if all flights go as planned. He remained in South Korea for one week after my departure in order to tender our resignation, following the receipt of our final paychecks, so he could transfer our funds and close our foreign account.

Rest assured that updates will soon be rolling in on a regular basis. I hope that communications between our two parties can continue amicably with this new understanding. Following this written report, you may expect visual reports to be posted in the near future - reports that will bring you up to date on our recent escapades and current positions.

Mostly completely sincerely,
(but with a lot of love!)

Anna
Honorary Citizen Comrade av-11

(I'm back, folks!)