My younger sister Sue and I grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on the east coast of Canada. The most easterly point in North America is a 20-minute drive from our childhood home. This means our hometown is situated pretty much in the North Atlantic, a place of harsh winters and never-ending wind. As if that isn’t bad enough, the other notable feature of the city is fog. Cold, clammy and clingy fog. Over the years many of our plans were cancelled and airline flights delayed because the fog rolled in at an inopportune time and we were “fogged in.”
So when Sue graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing degree from the local university and there were no nursing jobs available nearby, she was more than ready to accept a career opportunity in New Orleans, Louisiana. The fact that she had her job interview in the middle of a severe snowstorm only made the offer of employment seem even more appealing.
By the time my sister graduated, I had already fled the fog. In fact, it was one of the main reasons why I left our hometown. But Toronto isn’t exactly a warm and sunny place in the winter either. Therefore when Sue invited me to join her to celebrate her first New Year’s in New Orleans, I jumped at the opportunity.
New Orleans was cooler in late December than I had anticipated, but it certainly beat the sub-zero temperatures I had left behind in Canada. Sue proudly showed me around her new and vibrant city. We enjoyed café au lait and beignets at the Café Du Monde, wandered through the French Quarter and along the Mississippi, and drank Hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s bar.
The highlight of my trip was to be the ringing in of the New Year. Sue and her new friends, other Canadian nurses, had bought tickets for a trip on a paddle-wheeler that would take us up the Mississippi as we dined and danced the night away, culminating in a fireworks display at midnight.
We dressed up in our best and headed to the dock, only to find … fog. Deep, thick, impenetrable fog. The organizers of the event assured us that the paddle-wheeler would leave the shore as soon as the fog lifted enough to make the trip up the Mississippi safe. We boarded the boat and commenced the festivities. The food was delicious, and I had great fun getting to know my sister’s friends.
As it turned out, the paddle-wheeler never did leave the dock. When midnight arrived, the fireworks were duly detonated. We could hear them popping, but the fog was so thick we couldn’t see any evidence of them whatsoever although we all flooded the deck to peer toward the heavens.
It was a somewhat disappointing turn of events, but that New Year’s Eve remains as memorable for what didn’t happen as for what did. It seemed my sister and I just couldn’t escape our destiny – being “fogged in.”
Hilarious! Love it!
Glad you enjoyed it, Jane. I’m sure you can relate to the recollections of the fog and the disruptions it always caused. 🙂
You two look gorgeous in your evening gowns.
Thanks, Monica. We also look so young – can’t believe it’s been 30 years since that evening!
A memorable New Year’s Eve, Marina! Love the photo of you and Sue.
Thanks, Jill. Yes, Sue and I dressed up to the nines that year!
Nice story. What year were you in New Orleans? I went there a couple of times with my ex and Christy, and friends. We also went to Pat O’Briens and drank Hurricanes!
That New Year’s in New Orleans was in 1992. It was a great place to visit. Those Hurricanes were something else… 🙂
Hi Marina,
Nice to read your postings from time to time. Everytime I read your writings, I have a warm peaceful feeling. This year, the bad weather locked us in and we became the ones who observed the occasion quietly at home… Love this story and wish you and your family a happy healthy 2023!
Matthew’s mom, Angie
Sorry the weather locked you in over Christmas, Angie (our family too!). Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Happy New Year to you and your family. All the best!
That’s so funny! New Orleans can be fun no matter what the weather, and a great attitude helps too! Happy New Year to you and Murray, xo
Thanks for reading and commenting, Christy. Yes, New Orleans is a fun place. Happy New Year to you and your family also. 🙂