It may be big, but it aint easy. If Independence eve caused every bloke and his mum to go out partying on the streets of New Orleans, then Independence Day caused every bloke and bird and his mum, uncle, grandpa and niece to do likewise. It was crowded, to say the least.

The fireworks were stunning and the semi-organised dancing gay moves on the street was good for a laugh. And embarking on the mostly impossible task of finding a taxi, we found ourselves in the middle of a mass panic, with hundreds of people running away from something. That something turned out to be a shooting, but the hysteria lasted only a few seconds and the place was packed with cops. And we even found a taxi.