Day 2-First day of Gathering!

After breakfast at IHOP,we rode the trolley down to the Garden District to visit the Lafayette Cemetery. Because of theculture and geography of New Orleans, people were buried in mausoleums rather than under the ground. The cemetery is one of the oldest in the city, with tombs dating back to the 1830's.

We tried to escape the heat by staying in the shade of the live oaks and magnolia trees. Mardi Gras beads were tangled in the branches! Along the sidewalks of the nearby neighborhood were wrought iron fences cast in ornate patterns. The homes were from antebellum times, and one of them is owned by Sandra Bullock.

When the tour ended, we escaped into the air-conditioning. I've never been more grateful for Wisconsin's weather! Once we had cooled down enough to brave New Orlean's temperatures, we returned to the hotel for a relaxed afternoon of swimming before the hectic events of National Youth Gathering start up. Opening ceremony starts at 7pm in the Superdome!