Return to New Orleans
2 weeks ago, I went on vacation to New Orleans. This is the first time I had been back since Katrina. Over all, it was a great week. I couldn't ask for better weather, as it was in the mid to upper 70s. Every morning for breakfast, I would have cafe au lait and beignets....yummy. Our first hotel was on the Riverwalk, so I'd then go exercise/walk along the river. Many stores in the quarter are still around, though there were some that we missed. Not related to the hurricane were the disappearance of Virgin Records and Tower Records. Most likely related to Katrina was the disappearance of the Magic Bus...a favorite used record store. But my favorite used record store was still there, and just as we remembered, except for the lack of the cranky old owner, who apparently still owns the place but hasn't returned to live in NOLA. Food was fabulous, and we were very happy to see that Lucy's Retired Surfer's Bar was still around and doing a lively business. A great place to go, especially if you don't want to be in touristy places. A new adventure was dinner at Mother's. Good old southern food at a very reasonable prices. MMM MMM.
Toward the end of the week, we rented a car to drive around both New Orleans and to head west for more sight-seeing. Day 1 with the car had us heading around town. Our first stop was the University of New Orleans. UNO is right on Lake Pontchartrain along with being near a canal--London Avenue Canal, which was breached during Katrina. UNO was shut down by the hurricane, but managed to re-open in Dec 2005. Driving in the area of the university was very disheartening. There are still so many houses that are in complete disrepair. Many (including the ones that people are living in) still have the markings on them from the search and rescue crews. While many of them were marked that no one was found, there were several that had markings about humans and/or animals having been found on the premises. It's quite disturbing to see this 2+ years after the hurricane hit. It's also astonishing to see how much of the city was really underwater. Some areas seem so far away from water sources, it's hard to wrap your brain around all the destruction. After leaving UNO, we drove along the lake and saw signs of progress being made as well as more signs of the destruction. Headed off to find a fave restaurant that used to be in the French Quarter, but is now only in the suburbs, Mr. Gyros. Rush hour hit, and we drove back to the quarter a different way, and came across another neighborhood that was pretty much deserted. There were some people living in FEMA trailers and signs that they were repairing their homes, but it was just another reminder of how much still needs to be done.
Friday, we got up early and headed to Lafayette, LA to go to the Acadian Cultural Center of the Jean Lafitte National Park . We were disappointed to learn that the boat ride thru the bayou had been cancelled, but made the most of the museum. Just to the south is the city of New Iberia, home of author James Lee Burke and his main character, Dave Robicheaux. We ate at Victor's Cafeteria, and then walked around the little downtown area. On our way out of town, we stopped to get a Snowball. Lousiana snowballs are not to be confused with sno-cones. A Snowball is a huge cup of shaved ice. The place we purchased ours from had no fewer than 50 flavors listed. Excellent!
A good time was had during the week, even if there were a few sad moments that brings one back to the reality of a true disaster in every sense of the word.
Toward the end of the week, we rented a car to drive around both New Orleans and to head west for more sight-seeing. Day 1 with the car had us heading around town. Our first stop was the University of New Orleans. UNO is right on Lake Pontchartrain along with being near a canal--London Avenue Canal, which was breached during Katrina. UNO was shut down by the hurricane, but managed to re-open in Dec 2005. Driving in the area of the university was very disheartening. There are still so many houses that are in complete disrepair. Many (including the ones that people are living in) still have the markings on them from the search and rescue crews. While many of them were marked that no one was found, there were several that had markings about humans and/or animals having been found on the premises. It's quite disturbing to see this 2+ years after the hurricane hit. It's also astonishing to see how much of the city was really underwater. Some areas seem so far away from water sources, it's hard to wrap your brain around all the destruction. After leaving UNO, we drove along the lake and saw signs of progress being made as well as more signs of the destruction. Headed off to find a fave restaurant that used to be in the French Quarter, but is now only in the suburbs, Mr. Gyros. Rush hour hit, and we drove back to the quarter a different way, and came across another neighborhood that was pretty much deserted. There were some people living in FEMA trailers and signs that they were repairing their homes, but it was just another reminder of how much still needs to be done.
Friday, we got up early and headed to Lafayette, LA to go to the Acadian Cultural Center of the Jean Lafitte National Park . We were disappointed to learn that the boat ride thru the bayou had been cancelled, but made the most of the museum. Just to the south is the city of New Iberia, home of author James Lee Burke and his main character, Dave Robicheaux. We ate at Victor's Cafeteria, and then walked around the little downtown area. On our way out of town, we stopped to get a Snowball. Lousiana snowballs are not to be confused with sno-cones. A Snowball is a huge cup of shaved ice. The place we purchased ours from had no fewer than 50 flavors listed. Excellent!
A good time was had during the week, even if there were a few sad moments that brings one back to the reality of a true disaster in every sense of the word.