Taylor Swift Does New Orleans

Last month, Taylor Swift’s legendary Eras Tour pulled into New Orleans for three nights. 

I love New Orleans and I love Taylor Swift, so off I went—with no ticket in hand. 

I, along with tens of thousands of other fans, couldn’t get a ticket to her show. But that didn’t stop me. I knew the energy in the city would be great and besides, I could attend Taylor Swift events. So, I got my nails done Eras-style, 

bought a ticket for a Taylor Swift paddle boat cruise down the Mississippi River, 

a ticket for a Taylor Swift drag show, 

made reservations for a Swifties Swift Tea,

and trekked out to the Skeleton House.

See, I wasn’t the only one caught up in the fever. The entire town got into it. They decorated the Superdome and the penguins in the zoo.

Wait. What? 

Yes, that’s right. They decorated the penguins in honor of Ms. Swift. 

The zoo in New Orleans took two days to capture and adorn their penguins with friendship bracelets. Does Taylor Swift know about this? She mentioned the Superdome wrapped in a friendship bracelet, but if you ask me, I would be way more flattered by the penguins. 

I was so flabbergasted by this gesture that I purchased a membership to the Audubon Zoo. I appreciated their enthusiasm. The zoo staff jumped on the party train and warmly welcomed Taylor Swift and all the Swifties. As I walked through the park, I noticed several other decorated enclosures. 

But that wasn’t the only thing that charmed me about the New Orleans Zoo. I also saw this.

Recipe cards placed around animals in their captivity. 

I thought, “This place has a sense of humor.” 

I apologize, Dear Reader, if that offends you. But I found it funny. 

However, what sealed the deal for my membership was this guy.

Look at that face. 

His name is Two Spot, and we have a thing. 

When I got there, he was hiding in a corner, but I coaxed him over to the window, where I spent much time talking to him and staring into his blue eyes. Two Spot was born with a very rare genetic mutation called leucism which results in ivory white skin and midnight blue eyes. Yes, I needed a membership. I’ll be back.     

Alas, I did not see Taylor Swift perform in New Orleans. Not because I didn’t score a ticket. I did. I got through on Ticketmaster about 3 hours before the show on Friday. I could have purchased a ground-floor seat for $562. But I balked. I had never paid that much for a concert ticket. Unsure, I called my daughter because she always knows what to do. She told me it was a deal and to go for it. But… unfortunately, I had suffered from sticker shock long enough to lose my chance.

I found out that $562 was indeed a steal. Outside the Superdome, I met a woman whose daughter paid $6000 for two tickets. A gentleman in a bar, shared that he spent $10,000 for four tickets. 

Oh well, I suppose money and madness are all relative. 

Besides, I’ve already seen her.  

From The Summit