Tuesday, 2/17/2009, started cold and overcast, gradually warming with some sun. The ship arrived around midnight. We had been warned in advance about Homeland Security's new port security policy. It has been implemented in New Orleans, and meant we could no longer leave the ship unless escorted by a person with a special 'TWC' card. So, US citizens were confined to the ship for half a day, in a US port. Homeland Security's suggested solution is to pay a special escort service $100 each way. That cost is a hardship for the crew, after having been at sea for 26days. Fortunately the agents helped us, and fortunately, Houston doesn't implement the new policy until April. When we arrived in the French Quarter in early afternoon, we walked around looking. There are beads everywhere, on the ground and on traffic lights, with more for sale. We found a restaurant and had a very good lunch. There are not so many book stores in New Orleans. We took the street car to a Borders store. I replenished my dark chocolate supply. Because of the port security hassle, we stayed in New Orleans overnight. Had another good meal. I had a small caesar salad, red beans and rice, and red wine. The image is the Tuesday sunrise. The ship's cranes have been raised and are ready.
