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<\/a><\/p>\nOur guide explained that the reason the graves are above ground isn’t so much about the water table, which is the common belief, but about the Catholic tradition of enclosing multiple people into the same tomb.\u00a0 The tradition is when somebody dies they are placed in the tomb inside a rudimentary coffin, and after at least one year and one day, the New Orleans heat and humidity completely breaks down their body to just the bones.\u00a0 If somebody from the same family dies within that one year, one day period they are placed in temporary vaults like these below.<\/p>\n
When a new body is ready to be put into the tomb, the face plate is removed, the brick enclosing the tomb is broken down, and the previous person’s bones are placed in a sack and then pushed back into the tomb where they fall into a vault below the tomb.\u00a0 The term “I wouldn’t touch that with a 10 foot pole” supposedly comes from the pole used to push the remains into the vault.\u00a0 Some of these tombs have as many as 50 peoples remains in them.<\/p>\n The vault in this photo is an exception.\u00a0 This rather wealthy woman was apparently told by her daughter that she couldn’t wait until she died so she could get her inheritance.\u00a0 This outburst prompted her to change her will and gave it all to charity and her dog.\u00a0 She purchased an extravagant tomb where everybody would see it, and insisted her tomb only contain herself and her dog.\u00a0 Maybe keep your persnickety remarks to yourself around your elders??<\/p>\n The tour also stopped in New Orleans City Park and we had 20 minutes to walk around the gorgeous grounds.<\/p>\n Apparently there are occasionally alligators in the park, so stay clear of the waters edge.<\/p>\n This park was created by the guy that planned Central Park in NY, only this park is larger!\u00a0 Beautiful spot.<\/p>\n Here is William showing off his expert selfie skills!<\/p>\n After the tour we walked through the French Market, which is decorated for the holidays.\u00a0 It’s one of those must-visit spots in the French Quarter, although the stuff in the market wasn’t French in the least.\u00a0 Not even a cheap Eiffel Tower!<\/p>\n That night we had dinner at our favorite New Orleans restaurant, as we’ve eaten here each time we’ve visited NOLA.\u00a0 It did not disappoint!\u00a0 The waiter, Terrance, was awesome, and very entertaining!\u00a0 If you come here ask to be seated in his area.\u00a0 He’s worked here for 20 years so he’s not likely to leave any time soon!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n