My spouse Ju and I had been chomping at the bit for a change of scenery and food, for that matter. We hadn't boarded an airplane since the pandemic and were quite wary of what that would entail. At the same time, I had launched FlightsInStilettos Travel -- a home-based travel agency and wanted to book a trip using some of the travel suppliers I had partnered with.

My only requirements were that wherever we went, it had great food, incredible scenery and wasn't too far away. I especially wanted charbroiled oysters after hearing about them and had talked about quelling that urge for weeks!

We finally settled on New Orleans. Ju hadn't been there since her college basketball days, and I had never been at all. Quite frankly, the thought of visiting that city gave me chills because of the number of lost souls after hurricane Katrina.

I booked the trip for us after being assured that I could eat the best-charbroiled oysters at a restaurant called Neyows.

We arrived in New Orleans for our Easter weekend trip with ease. My planning was flawless. Damn, I might be excellent as a travel planner!

Our first order of business was to unload our luggage and kick the night off with a cocktail. This was after we were promptly and warmly greeted by our NOLA Ambassador driver named Shawn Parker. I'd scheduled NOLA Ambassador as our roundtrip transportation provider and was so glad that I did. When we deplaned, I had a text from him already assuring us that he was there waiting for us. I thought to myself -- yes, this trip is already starting on the right foot.

A few hours later, Ju and I were refreshed and changed with a delicious cocktail to boot! The night was just getting started -- we'd planned to see one of my favorite cousins that night who drove over from Biloxi, MS. This was a significant event for us because I don't think I could ever say that I traveled anywhere to see family. We had a grand old time being driven around in the lap of luxury around the city ending up a Neyows for the best-charbroiled oysters and cocktails imaginable. We laughed the night away and got to know each other better during the process.

The rest of our weekend consisted of unique sightseeing tours, more laughter, more great food, a few strolls down bourbon street, random pics with happy NOLA dwellers, and a memorable NOLA photoshoot.

I will never forget the warm welcome we received from the jovial locals and visitors alike -- and never once in that city did we feel judged based on our skin color or sexual orientation. Is New Orleans a true melting pot? It sure felt that way.

For that reason and many more, New Orleans is now among the cities that I love.

New Orleans is a city that you must visit at least once during your lifetime.

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