Gift for the New Orleans-bound?

May 22, 2008 11:19 AM

NewOrleansFilter: What should I get for my girlfriend, who is going to New Orleans for the summer?

My girlfriend is going to take a summer job working for a public defender in New Orleans. She's a law student and this will be her first time in New Orleans. I want to get her a present that's appropriate to the setting.

Difficulty: She doesn't like jazz.

posted by MaddyRex to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

Does she drink coffee? How about a gift card to PJ's Coffee or CC's Coffee? Both have locations all around the city, although you might want to look up their locations and figure out which are closer to where she will live and/or work.
posted by radioamy at 11:28 AM on May 22, 2008

But I bet she likes food!
Give her a gift certificate for two to an upscale restaurant.
Mail it anonymously.
Then surprise her in person!
posted by Dizzy at 11:29 AM on May 22, 2008

A nice linen business suit. Seriously, linen and New Orleans go hand in hand in the summer.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:54 PM on May 22, 2008

umbrella(s), trolley pass, self-defense lessons
posted by thylacine at 1:20 PM on May 22, 2008

A good map! The layout of streets in New Orleans can be incredibly confusing. A map or book with neighborhood names and landmarks will help her find where she needs to go, stay away from places she shouldn't be,* and find her way home after days of exploration.
*Having said that, I don't want to feed the fear of NOLA. As long as you're reasonably city-smart and know where you are, it's easy to be safe. The warmth of strangers is the best part of the place.

Pollomacho's idea is great--it is HOT and STICKY. Loose, flow-y clothing that's nice enough for work, skimpy sleepwear, nice comfortable sandals, good-quality sunglasses.

And she will like jazz by the end of the summer, guaranteed. Bluesy, heartbreaking, inventive New Orleans jazz on New Orleans streets in the New Orleans heat with a New Orleans beer isn't like jazz anywhere else. It's like listening to human history.
posted by hippugeek at 1:46 PM on May 22, 2008

Anything to keep cool, it is Africa hot in the summer! I remember returning to NO after being in Germany for a year and I thought I would pass out walking to the car from the airport, no lie. Humidity so thick you can cut it with a knife.
posted by nummies911 at 1:49 PM on May 22, 2008

The map suggestion is a great idea. Also, a guide book to all the wonderful restaurants would be better than a gift certificate to 1 expensive one.

umbrella(s), trolley pass, self-defense lessons
posted by thylacine

Make sure she knows they're called street cars in new orleans. And ignore advice from anyone that calls the street cars trolleys.
posted by justgary at 2:26 PM on May 22, 2008

She doesn't like jazz? Oh god. Poor child. Send her to the Dragon's Den and she'll learn to do so.

But also, I third the linen.
posted by paultopia at 7:57 PM on May 22, 2008

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions.
posted by MaddyRex at 9:48 AM on May 27, 2008