Traveling to New Iberia

[ajc8033]

Mr. Burke,

Hello again and happy spring! I am the Philadelphia Police Detective that wrote you a while back. I am 22 years on the Philly PD and 17 years sober. I went back a read so many of your Robicheaux novels. I have between 1996 and 2007 to finsh. I have knocked a few off the top and a few off the bottom of the list.

I do a lot of wire tap cases. I am in New Orleans for case law and technology updates. My class starts Tuesday so I am going to travel to New Iberia on Monday (3-14-2011). Is there anything specific that you would recommend that I see. I plant to see Main street and try to catch a meeting.

I hope you are well. I am working on Cadillac Jukebox now. If you happen to catch this post, thanks for your help.

Andy C
Philadelphia, PA

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Mr. C. If you have the chance, you might try Victor's Cafeteria on Main for lunch or you could try Bon Creole on East Main for a fried-oyster po'boy sandwich. A walk around the grounds of The Shadows is pretty interesting historically. The owners of Books Along the Teche have Dave Robicheaux walking tour maps that are pretty helpful.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your visit.

All the best,

JLB

[ajc8033]

Thanks a ton! Will do...

[LeeCook]

Victor's in New Iberia is great, and The Shadows is really a unique slice of history. When we visited the area a couple of years ago, we took the time to tour the 2 antebellum sugar plantations in the area - Laura Plantation and Oak Alley Plantation. Both date back to the early 1800's, and are completely restored and offer a very interesting slice of American history. If I remember right, they're fairly close to one another - about 30-35 miles west of New Orleans, along, I believe, Hightway 18. You'll pass them on the way to New Iberia. Oak Alley has a small restaurant where we had a great breakfast, but the tours are great. Hope you have a great time in your visit.

[ajc8033]

Mr Burke and LeeCook,

Thanks for the advice. I had a really great time in New Iberia. I spent some time in the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office. They were very nice and I met several men and women from the office. I also spoke to Chief Deputy Hebert. I told him that I was a Detective from Philadelphia. He told me a story about meeting Frank Rizzo in the FBI National Academy in 1966. Frank Rizzo was an icon in Philadelphia. He started as a beat cop in South Philadelphia and worked his way up to Police Commissioner and then Mayor of Philadelphia.

I ate at "Bon Creole" and hit all of the locations on the walking tour. I started at the book shop for a map and a book. Nice lady that spoke highly of you was working that day. I neglected to ask her for a name. I assumed you would know whom I met.

Since monday, I have spent the last couple of Days and nights in New Orleans. I found several similarities between policing in New Orleans and Philadelphia. As I previously mentioned, I worked with two federal agencies and several police departments. I must say that it is obvious that "big city cops" are much the same wherever we go. Most importantly we learn to not sweat the small stuff. In your books it is obvious that Dave has never forgotten where he came from.

Thanks again for all of your hard work. I really enjoy your books.

Andy C.

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Mr. C. I'm happy you enjoyed your trip.

All the best,

JLB