Ever wonder where your Tabasco came from? Or that delicious crawfish you had that one time at that seafood restaurant? Or maybe where Ellen DeGeneres was from? All of those questions have the same answer: Louisiana.
Ah, Louisiana. The boot of America, the party state of the country, and probably the place with the best food in the world: Louisiana has it all. There's a particular bond between people from Louisiana, a bond that is only more prevalent when Louisianians move out of their beloved state. Don't get me wrong, though. Natives welcome newcomers more often than not, with everyone seeing the beautiful state that it is. Having Louisiana as your home state, though, is a blessing not many people have. Here's why Louisiana rocks.
The Food
You don't know good cooking until you've been to the dirty South. Known for its seafood and spicy delicacies, Cajun culture runs in the veins of south Louisiana natives. Gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish, ètoufèes, boudin, frog legs, sauce picquante, and corn maque choux are only a few of the dishes that you'll see on Cajun family's menu. Crawfish boils and boucheries are celebrations of their own accord, usually spent with good friends and even better family. If you talk to anyone who went to high school in south Louisiana, they will probably tell you that they had a crawfish boil as part of their graduation festivities. Unique to Louisiana, the food of Louisiana has become not only a part of American cuisine but as well as an international cuisine.
The People
There isn't a stranger in Louisiana. Sure, in the larger cities, you may not know someone. But I can attest everybody knows everybody, or everybody knows somebody that knows everybody. Southern hospitality is the essence of Louisiana people. Cotillion was the epitome of middle school, debutante balls were main social events in high school, and manners were not only expected but were mandated at all times. Need help bring those grocery bags? No worries, your knight in Sperry's will be running to your rescue. Having a bad day? I assure you someone will tell you hello and smile at you, making your day so much better. Did I mention Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, Tim McGraw, Eli and Peyton Manning, and Lil' Wayne were all from Louisiana? If that doesn't make you love Louisiana, I don't know what will.
The Culture
There's something magical about Louisiana culture. Being the only state in America with a large French-speaking population, you know that Louisiana is already different from most states. Actually, I knew French curse words before I knew them in English, and most of my family has at least one French nickname. Cajun dancing, voodoo, fishing on the bayou, and the varying accents depending on the region, Louisiana culture speaks to its own accord. There is always cause for celebration, whether an achievement was made or simply you lived another day.
I don't know about you, but I'm definitely missing home right now. Louisiana is the hidden gem of the United States, and I couldn't be prouder to be from there.
