[renielarson]

My favorite place is Louisiana.

The Atchafalaya Basin is the most amazing place full of fish, crawfish, rare birds, and abundant alligators. Travelling through the basin in a very special, unique swamp boat provides an experience to remember. It provides up close and personal investigation of the most beautiful foliage, trees and other plant life in addition to animal life...especially if you have a topnotch guide, which we did.

The culture of the Cajun population captures me...the history of how they came to settle in Louisiana....travelling the eastern coast on their way to their final home.

I love the cuisine...crawfish, jambalaya, gumbo, alligator, blue crabs, rich & thick roux...all so wonderfully delicious! I do pass on the fried pork rinds and hogshead cheese...yuck!

The Cajun dialect and words/phrases used in addition to the fluent French spoken by some, and sadly not by as many as in the past, captivates me.

Also, the special music created with the use of squeezeboxes, harmonicas, and guitars is entertaining to listen to. Plus the two step dancing to this most unique sound is downright fun.

Louisiana is a great state!