New Orleans is, first of all, beautiful. The entire French Quarter is a National Historic Landmark, made distinct by its architecture: multi-story pastel wooden buildings, wrought-iron balconies covered in vines, all in perfect compliment to the slow Creole cadences heard on the street. Strolling through the quiet passageways to inner-courtyards of the historic buildings offers a peek into private oases. And the constant sound of a trumpet in the distance or a saxophone around the corner adds to...