When most people hear New Orleans they think of Bourbon Street - where the fun is always seen as jammed into a block or two. However, Bourbon Street is actually thirteen blocks long. If you want to go down to the French Market, that’s at least another four blocks south – if you’re lucky. New Orleans is a city of walking so leave your Jimmy Choo’s at home.

I made it less than two hours before I had to kick-off my sassy leopard print pumps at the register of a Canal Street souvenir shop and trade them for a hideous pair of rubber flip flops. The flip flops were a low cost option to get me the rest of the way down Canal Street to The Riverwalk Marketplace where I had my choice of Aldo, Aerosoles, Nine West and a local shop called “You go Girl” that had a Fleur-de-lis on every pair. Because it was a Sunday I had to race down Poydras and get to the Riverwalk before 6pm closing time. In the nick of time I was able to get to Nine West and score the most hideous pair of black ballerina flats-the other choice was gold sequins. I now know why my mother taught me that looks do not matter when it comes to love. I was in hammer toe heaven.

If you are wondering why I didn’t just jump in a taxi instead of suffering my little piggies to the marketplace, it’s because the cabs in New Orleans (unlike New York) only take cash. I’m on business so that means Amex everywhere, all the time.

My 5 must-haves for a trip to New Orleans:

#1 Flat shoes for walking around the French Quarter and shopping areas

#2 A large enough bag to carry your pumps so you can switch out of the ugly flats at a moment’s notice

OR

#3 Plenty of cash to move around the city

AND

#4 Pajamas with an elastic waist to slip on after dinner and beignets.

#5 A jazzy hair clip to tame the humidity inspired birds nest upon your head