<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Welcome to New Orleans<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are delighted to welcome you to New Orleans for the eighty-second Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. No matter your interests,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>our city has something to entertain and inspire you. We are the home of delicious food, rich and diverse culture, famous attractions, unparalleled music,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and so much more. We hope you will take a little time to enjoy all there is to offer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There are several ways to travel from the Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) to the Marriott or Sheraton. The approximately fourteen-mile trip<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>takes twenty-five to forty minutes depending on traffic. Taxis are readily available and have a thirty-six-dollar minimum fee for two people. For three<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>or more passengers, the cost is fifteen dollars per person. Rideshare options are a convenient choice. The airport shuttle is another popular way to get<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>from the airport to hotels in New Orleans. It costs forty-four dollars per person round-trip or twenty-four dollars each way. You can reserve a spot on<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a shuttle online in advance or in person at the baggage claim area. Children under six ride free with their parents.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The shuttle stops at multiple hotels, so if you choose that option, make sure to plan accordingly. For reservations, call (504) 522-3500 or (866) 596-2699<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>at least twenty-four hours before your flight. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available but require you to book a week ahead.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Once you have arrived and unpacked, it is time to experience our amazing city! New Orleans was founded in 1718, so we have more than 304 years of rich<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>history and culture to share with you. New Orleans goes by many nicknames. We are The Big Easy, because of our laid back and easy-going attitude. We are<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the Crescent City because New Orleans was originally built on a bend in the Mississippi River that looks like a crescent. We go by NOLA, short for New<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Orleans, Louisiana. We are the City of Yes because of our positive attitudes. We have been dubbed Hollywood South because of the vast entertainment opportunities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and the movie boom in recent years. Our nicknames give you a flavor of who we are and what you will experience when you visit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You may be familiar with some of our famous festivals. We celebrate Mardi Gras to kick off Lent, and we definitely know how to have fun! The colorful and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>vibrant floats, the Mardi Gras beads, the energetic music, and the costumes are unparalleled. We also host the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>often called Jazz Fest, which celebrates the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans. Jazz originated in NOLA in the 1800s. Each year, Southern Decadence<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>happens over Labor Day weekend and is filled with a host of parties, parades, brunches, and events in celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. For more<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>than forty years, this French Quarter-wide fest has been the perfect way to close out summer in the Big Easy. We are also home to the Essence Music Festival,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>which is the “party with a purpose.” This is the largest African American culture and music event in America. Essence Fest will take place June 30 through<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>July 3, 2022, so if you get to town early, please check it out. These are just a few of our festivals. There’s always something fun and interesting happening<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in New Orleans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have many cultural venues in our beautiful city. These include the National WWII Museum, which honors those who courageously served and showcases America’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>contribution to World War II. We are also home of the Audubon Zoo, which houses alligators, bears, and other rare animals and plant life right in the heart<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of New Orleans. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is the home to 15,000 sea life creatures including a shark you can pet and Zion the Penguin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>New Orleans boasts a number of tours, including walking tours to celebrate the city’s Black history, haunted history, music history, and all of the histories<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>that form its culture. Visitors may want to tour one of our cemeteries, which solved the problem of how to bury the dead in a place that is below sea level<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by creating elaborate marble chambers above ground.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Those interested in transportation may want to ride one of our historic street cars. In fact, the Canal line runs right in front of the convention hotels.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For information about the public transportation and paratransit services, please visit <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://www.norta.com/ride-with-us/know-before-you-go/transit-accessibility/paratransit-service or call 504-248-3900<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> for general info or 504-827-7433 paratransit reservations. We also have ferry boats and riverboats for those who want to cruise the mighty Mississippi.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Marriott sits on the edge of the French Quarter or Vieux Carré, the heart and soul of New Orleans history and culture. Frequently called the “crown<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>jewel,” you will love the charm and welcoming vibe of one of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods and most iconic areas. We have something for everyone and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>much to explore! It is the heart of the city, and it is renowned for its French and Spanish Creole architecture, delicious food from traditional Creole<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>cuisine to contemporary American, and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. Tour the iconic St. Louis Cathedral, spend some time people watching or communing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>with the artists in Jackson Square, visit the many galleries and antique shops on Royal Street, or enjoy some shopping at the French Market. Be sure to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>grab some beignets (pronounced ben yays) and café au lait at the world-famous Café Du Monde just blocks from the Marriott. For music lovers, you will frequently<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>hear live music and street performers wherever you are.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of food, New Orleans is the home of outstanding Creole and other cuisines. Try a po’ boy, muffuletta, gumbo, turtle soup, red beans, crawfish<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>étouffée, oysters—fried, raw, or char-grilled, and so much more. And don’t forget to enjoy a cocktail, like a Hurricane if you are inclined. In case you<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>are wondering, a po’ boy is a sandwich on flaky French bread stuffed with shrimp, oysters, catfish, roast beef, or whatever you choose, “dressed” with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo. A peacemaker po’ boy is half fried shrimp and half fried oysters. There are many twists on the classic, but you will<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>enjoy whichever combo you choose. And, beignets are square pieces of deep-fried dough topped with tons of powdered sugar or a little piece of paradise<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>as we like to say!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>New Orleans is the home of many important individuals. These include the ornithologist John James Audubon, writer/author Truman Capote, artist Edgar Degas,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>authors William Faulkner and Anne Rice, and returning to the theme of food, the founder of Popeye’s Chicken, Al Copeland. New Orleans is the home of Benjamin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Button and Benjamin Sisko from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Famous entertainers from New Orleans include Sandra Bullock, Donna Douglas (played Ellie Mae<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>on Beverly Hillbillies), Tyler Perry, Richard Simmons, Mahalia Jackson, Reese Witherspoon, Louis Armstrong, Harry Connick, Jr., DJ Khalid, Aaron Neville,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lil Wayne, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Newman, Frank Ocean, Irma Thomas, and Fats Domino to name a few. Prominent journalists include Hoda<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kotb and Cokie Roberts. Prominent political figures from New Orleans include Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and former Speaker of the House of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Representatives Newt Gingrich. Famous sports figures include NFL quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning, and Audrey Patterson, the first African American<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>woman to win an Olympic medal. Both from New Orleans, Ruth Benerito invented wrinkle-free cotton, and Levi Spear Parmley invented dental floss. Ruby Bridges,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>at six years old, was the first African American child to racially integrate the New Orleans public school system, which gained national attention. Betty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>DeGeneres was a prominent LGBTQ+ civil rights activist. Chef Leah Chase, the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” served as the inspiration for Disney’s princess<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tiana. These are just some of the people who hail from New Orleans, but they give you a flavor of our diverse and rich history and culture.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regardless of your interests, we are sure you will find something to enjoy and make many happy memories! Your Louisiana family can’t wait to welcome you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Laissez les bon temps rouler; let the good times roll!<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>