Rashida welcomed me at the house even I arrived 30 minutes earlier and gave me a tour of her stylish house and showed me how everything worked. She also gave me a recommendation of a local restaurant, Cafe Dauphine, maybe 3-4 blocks away, which I took and now recommend to everyone else (the food was superb and the space very charming and cool). Rashida also shared of her wealth of community knowledge which helped me to feel comfortable in the neighbourhood.
I walked to downtown NO once, the levee walk to the canal bridge, breakfast at cafe Satsuma in Marigny, and continued my stroll through the neighbourhood. Make sure to visit the riverside park!
Finding groceries was a challenge. There is a Saturday Fresh Market across from the gas station on St Claude (near Lizardi).
Next time I would come and stay with a friend. I would definitely rent a bike for the duration as NO and vicinity are flat and there's lots to see. Rashida offered me her bike but I did not have a helmet nor a bike lock. Next time I will be prepared!