Here is the incredible day I visited the inspiration behind the King Oliver tune, West End Blues. It was the date of Louis Armstrong’s 110th birthday. I had landed the day before at Louis Armstrong International Airport as the joint-highest ever temperature at the airport was recorded. On this day, I took the Canal Street (Cemeteries) street car to the end of the line, and then a bus to Canal Blvd & Robert E Lee Blvd. From here, I walked west along Robert E Lee. The heat was the most intense I’ve ever felt until at one point, I did feel as though the left side of my face and my left ear were going to melt right off. I dived for the sparse shade a cafe’s brief overhang offered, and soldiered on. Finally, somehow, I staggered to the southwest entry to West End Park. The pilgrimage was over. Here are the videos I took in order. |
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