Theres a magnetism aboutNew Orleansthat grabs you right out of the gate.
For Hoda, she means that literally.
Hoda was immediately captivated by the music, the mood, and the warmth of the people.
Hoda Kotb and Karen Swensen.Credit:CEDRIC ANGELES; SHIRT: ALICE + OLIVIA; PANTS: POLO RALPH LAUREN
Guidry had Crystal Gayle-long hair, the widest grin, and the most genuine hug.
The two laughed, chatted, and left the terminal as friends.New Orleanshad Hoda from hello.
CEDRIC ANGELES; SHIRT: ALICE + OLIVIA; PANTS: POLO RALPH LAUREN
Hoda!
Hoda Kotb and Karen Swensen.Credit:CEDRIC ANGELES; SHIRT: ALICE + OLIVIA; PANTS: POLO RALPH LAUREN
Hey, Hoda, where yat?
Welcome home, Hoda!
Hoda is a superstar here.
Credit:CEDRIC ANGELES
Shes the sister, daughter, or mother they cant wait to welcome home.
And shes my best friend.
Id report to work as she was leaving.
Credit:CEDRIC ANGELES; DRESS: LELA ROSE; SANDALS: MATEO SHOES;
Im Hoda, she said.
Hi, Im nobody!
I replied with a nervous laugh.
Credit:CEDRIC ANGELES
We clicked from the get-go.
I say our because she helped me pay the deposit so I could live next door.
We shared a giant wraparound balcony, countless 2 a.m. conversations, and a lifetime of laughs.
It was like we got to do college over again and be roommates, Hoda recalls.
CEDRIC ANGELES
And the lower French Quarter was our campus.
There were no strangers.
It was a real community, says Hoda.
Hoda steps onto the balconyto their delight as well as hersand then quickly retreats.
Shes never held herself above anybody.
Hoda is a get-in-the-mix kind of gal.
Thats the beauty of her success.
She loves them all right back.
I want them to see what its like to be front and center at the parade, she says.
Last year, Hoda and her daughters visited on St. Patricks Day.
We stopped the car as a parade headed down St. Charles Avenue.
The kids climbed on our shoulders and raised their hands and voices shouting, Throw me somethin, mister!
Its the phrase that distinguishes tourists from locals.
Both girls knew those words would prompt the people on the floats to drop trinkets below.
Hope squealed as she caught a string of beads as long as she was tall.
Haley excitedly asked, wrapping herself in a giant pair of green satin underwear.
My children caught underwear.
Hoda recalls with a laugh.
Everything is light in New Orleans.
New Orleans celebrates the individual.
Its full of characters, and I want my kids to meet them, says Hoda.
And her daughters will know this city because Hoda has made it a priority.
They eat gumbo, barbecue shrimp,beignets, andfrozen sno-balls.
They go to parades, root for the Saints, and dance to Oh Happy Day!
I remember the first time I heard that song.
It was blasting from Hodas apartment next door.
Lets go toJazz Fest!
she exclaimed on that spring day in 1993 as she grabbed her keys and flip-flops.
The two of us have been going ever since.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivalwas Hodas favorite event of the year and became mine too.
Its two back-to-back weekends in the spring filled with music, food, and culture.
