I met up with my friend Rick, who, since I'd seen him in Sacramento a couple months ago, had set out on his own USA travel adventure. He was staying in New Orleans at a hostel, and we met up for an authentic New Orleans tradition - muffuletta sandwiches. Muffuletta sandwiches originated at Italian grocery stores in the French Quarter. Many of them claim to be the 'Home of the Original Muffuletta'. Central Grocery, on Decatur street, appears most authentic. No one seems to know where the name 'muffuletta' came from, but my theory is that it's the phonetic spelling of the cajun pronunciation of the phrase 'mother f****** lot of.' Piled high with salami, ham, provolone cheese, and olive relish, and the size of a human head, it's best to not eat an entire muffuletta sandwich. Rick and I split one.

For dessert, we had coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde, another New Orleans landmark.

Look at the handsome man and his sugar-coated pastries!

Rick took off for the Mississippi coast and I wandered around until bedtime.