Callin' Baton Rouge

Last Friday, Sarah and I traveled outside the lovely town of Lafayette to visit Louisiana's state capital, Baton Rouge. It was July 3rd, we had the day off, and so did everyone else it seems. We found the capitol buildings were closed. Here are some pictures, I took some from the outside.




The inside of the Old Capitol Building....

The outside of the Old Capitol Building... quite the Midieval Citadel... I looked but found no trace of a moat.


The New Capitol Building built by Huey Long in the 1930s. It's quite beautiful on the inside. Very 30s esque.

The drive to Baton Rouge is almost 50% on water. As you can see, the highway is on a bridge that lasts about 20-30 miles. I'm not sure what the exact term is, but it's swamp-like water, bayou-esque, and quite lovely. The trees are lush and green and the water (at least from far away) is serene and pretty. Sarah and I want to try canoe-ing but the (small) threat of gators leaves us apprehensive.
This chandelier is from an old building in the downtown of Baton Rouge. We stopped in a Community Coffee House (CC's), which is more popular than Starbuck's, to get refreshments and use the restroom.

The hallway to the bathroom.

The bathroom is inside the "Safe Deposit" room, which also housed a large safe.


Some pictures from the outside of the Citadel, erm...Old Capitol Building.



The New Capitol:

Downtown Baton Rouge:



Hopefully we will be able to go back soon when the museums and tours are actually open! And hopefully it won't be sooooooo hot!

Where I'll Be Living!

I will be living in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Lafayette Louisiana was originally founded as Vermilionville in 1821 by a French-speaking Acadian named Jean Mouton. It was renamed in 1884 after the Marquis de Lafayette for his assistance to the U.S. during the Revolutionary War. The economy of Lafayette depended upon agriculture up to the 1940s. After that time, Lafayette LA became a center for the petroleum and natural gas industry.

Today, Lafayette Louisiana has a strong tourism industry, attracted by the Cajun and Creole cultures of the surrounding region. Lafayette calls itself the heart of Acadiana because the French Canadian Acadians settled there after escaping the oppression of the British in the early 1700’s. It’s also referred to as the unofficial capital of Cajun Country. One of the best things to do in Lafayette is eat. Featuring some of the best dinning the country, the food is a mixture of spicy southern with French influence and will leave you dreaming for years to come. Fifteen miles west of a massive nature attraction, the Atchafalaya Basin, Lafayette LA is also 35 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. The local area is surrounded by forests, swamps and marshes, making for some excellent outdoor adventures like golf, fishing, and hunting.

taken from Destination 360

My apartment, University House at Acadiana, is across the street from Cajun Field. A school shuttle picks up students who park there (for free) and makes runs to the school every 15 minutes. The athletic center, Bourgeois Hall, and the Cajun Dome are nearby, as well. Here are some snapshots of the apartment complex, and what my apartment will look like (it will be furnished with the same furniture, but sans decorations and towels, etc):




My Mom and I spent most of Sunday shopping for my new quarters. I found an amazing comforter and pillows at Ross, and some great dishes at Target.

My best friend Shannon and I will be driving across the country over a 4-day period...better watch out!!!

I'm moving!

Oh my gosh! I am moving to LOUISIANA in 19 days!!

I will post more soon. I am busy planning my road trip and packing up my stuff.

I'm so excited!!!!