About 10 years ago, I was missing New Orleans. I visited a couple of sims around at the time, but when I found the Swamp Hostel in Bourbon Street NOLA sim, I knew I was home. I roleplay (still do) a Timelord who has her homebase during this time in New Orleans. One night, I noticed I had a new neighbor at the Hostel. A musician, and his sex piano kept giving off local chat spam. Figures, I thought. I messaged him and was still online when he came on to fix it. We chatted, and I found out that he was a real-life banjo player who also loved New Orleans. Two years later, we visited together in Real Life, the real NOLA, and later, got married.
I live in Germany now, so I don't get to the RL NOLA anymore. But I still live in our beautiful SL NOLA, and I still make beautiful music with my now RL husband, whom I met in our wonderful SL NOLA.
Thanks so much to Sandrine and the memory of her partner, Amanda, who established the bones and skin of such a magical place. And thanks to all the great people and their memories, who have added the gristle and fat to the place, and those residents like me, who maybe contribute a few tattoos.
Very few places welcome all people, all costumes, and all lifestyles, as easily as the real-life New Orleans. And this Second Life one has found a way to do that too. Secrets and details to be discovered in and around the buildings and sets, clubs with live music, good conversation, poker, and alligators. Restaurants and shops to pick up free NOLA foods and beads -- a police station and firestation to call or work at, when things go wrong. Bayou Diesel, a fellow resident, offers realistic hotspots around the sim, and rocker Clairede Dirval owns a club here, where she sometimes does surprise concerts.
We welcome new folks and visitors who love New Orleans and a laid-back lifestyle. My door is always open, in the Swamp Hostel, with the Krewe of the Lily doormat outside. Y'all come!