New Orleans weekend
Upon arriving in New Orleans I felt the numbing puppet strings that have been binding me snap as my spirit filled with energy, ideas and soul. In short, I "woke up." Which is saying a lot considering I missed my flight (I blame ATL traffic and long air terminal lines). The late-night drive was well worth it.
New Orleans - hands down - is the most amazing city in the country.
But don't get me wrong... it's damaged. While in the city I simultaneously felt like screaming with joy, crying my eyes out, rushing back to live there and running away from the city limits as fast as I could. Lots of mixed emotions to say the least. There's a lot of good there, but there's also tons of strain and you can see both in the faces of all the residents.
For me, the weekend was good - I picked up a few Christmas gifts in the Quarter, saw yoniyum at the Bywater Art Market, worked a shift in L and S's store (which had a line of about 10 people at the counter all day!). Then there was a holiday party and Sunday I taped the first Second Line after Katrina.
I expected the Second Line to be second-rate give the state of the city, but it was the real deal! A huge crowd flooded the streets (the good kinda flooding in New Orleans) and I got lots of great shots and soundbites, such as revelers dancing to the Rebirth Brass Band while yelling "New Orleans is back baby!"
I can't agree that it is back, but parts of it are. And parts of it will be. And parts of it will never again exist. Again, a simultaneous mix of conditions for New Orleans.
New Orleans - hands down - is the most amazing city in the country.
But don't get me wrong... it's damaged. While in the city I simultaneously felt like screaming with joy, crying my eyes out, rushing back to live there and running away from the city limits as fast as I could. Lots of mixed emotions to say the least. There's a lot of good there, but there's also tons of strain and you can see both in the faces of all the residents.
For me, the weekend was good - I picked up a few Christmas gifts in the Quarter, saw yoniyum at the Bywater Art Market, worked a shift in L and S's store (which had a line of about 10 people at the counter all day!). Then there was a holiday party and Sunday I taped the first Second Line after Katrina.
I expected the Second Line to be second-rate give the state of the city, but it was the real deal! A huge crowd flooded the streets (the good kinda flooding in New Orleans) and I got lots of great shots and soundbites, such as revelers dancing to the Rebirth Brass Band while yelling "New Orleans is back baby!"
I can't agree that it is back, but parts of it are. And parts of it will be. And parts of it will never again exist. Again, a simultaneous mix of conditions for New Orleans.