New Orleans
Trip Start
May 19, 2008
1
31
67
Trip End
Sep 24, 2008
New Orleans,
Louisiana,
United States
Monday, June 30, 2008
We all know about Hurricane Katrina and saw pictures of the devastation but to come here 3 years on you have no idea how the aftermath continues.
It has almost become a badge of honor that Katrina did this and Katrina is responsible for that. But the hard cold truth as passed on to us by numerous locals is that the people are reluctant to help themselves. Last evening we were given a tour (by a local we have met) of the lower 9th Ward. This is one of the worst hit areas when one of the levees separating Lake Pontchartrain from the 9th ward breeched. What it must have been like to experience this event would emotionally affect anyone. But what struck me is that on any block in the lower 9th ward there are one or two families that have pulled their lives together and got on with it. The rest of the block is an over grown field with little reminders of a neighbourhood other than a foundation or gas meters.
I am sad to see for whatever reason and I am sure there will be many that New Orleans hasn't regenerated as quickly it may have.
Even the French Quarter which got off lightly looks tired and seedy.
My impression of New Orleans is a city which has had the guts knocked out of it.
So we did the French Quarter carriage ride which was really informative and fun to travel in a carriage pulled by a mule. Mick our guide did a wonderful job explaining the history and interesting sights including a house owned by Bradgellina.
We had Cafe au Lait and beignets at Cafe Du Mond just as a wild thunder storm hit. Very spooky.
Lunch was again the size of a house. This is me eating 1/2 the Muffalitta (Sp) which is Itallian meats and olives. Very nice but 1/2 was heaps.
In the centre of the French Quarter is a large Catholic Church (I love these church like in Europe) and several French/Spanish building. This area felt very much like some of the parks in Paris and was just beautiful.
We watched the Natchez paddle steamer leave the dock and then walked over to catch the ferry across the Mississippi. Cant come to New Orleans without crossing the Mississippi. Can you?
We are staying at the New Orleans RV park which is new and they had a shuttle into town which is a great idea cause parking was about $20.00. It is clean and they are doing a great job besides being very friendly.
