What's New in New Orleans, as seen by Frommer's Guide
So I was perusing the 2008 Frommer's Guide to New Orleans, and there's an introductory section titled "What's New In New Orleans." It's a recap of the past few years, and is a fairly succinct and accurate description of recovery and current conditions. But this part especially was nice (and I feel like sharing with the class):
"Today recovery is ongoing, and the process goes slowly. All manner of important things are, maddeningly, no closer to being resolved than in the early days after the storm, while the fate of many citizens and establishments remains in question. Which prompts a question of your own, probably: Should you go?
Oh, yes.
Go, because everything in life is fragile and precarious, and we can take nothing for granted, and some day it really will all be gone. Go, because it's not gone, not at all. Go, because the things you wanted -- the beautiful architecture, the majestic oaks, the river wind, the quality of light that makes even the most mundane just a little bit magic -- all remain. Go, because there are people there, and as long as they are, there will be music and food, and it will be some of the best of your life. Go, because perhaps you've wanted to help in any way you can, and now the best way you can is to help a historic city regain its economic feet. Go, because every brick in the French Quarter has a story to tell, and so does the damaged ground of the Ninth Ward, and you should bear witness. Go, because there is much to celebrate, and this is still the best place there is to do so.
"I want to be in that number," goes the song. I do indeed. I hope you do, too."
The rest of it can be read here.
The Introduction piece is pretty nice, too.
"Today recovery is ongoing, and the process goes slowly. All manner of important things are, maddeningly, no closer to being resolved than in the early days after the storm, while the fate of many citizens and establishments remains in question. Which prompts a question of your own, probably: Should you go?
Oh, yes.
Go, because everything in life is fragile and precarious, and we can take nothing for granted, and some day it really will all be gone. Go, because it's not gone, not at all. Go, because the things you wanted -- the beautiful architecture, the majestic oaks, the river wind, the quality of light that makes even the most mundane just a little bit magic -- all remain. Go, because there are people there, and as long as they are, there will be music and food, and it will be some of the best of your life. Go, because perhaps you've wanted to help in any way you can, and now the best way you can is to help a historic city regain its economic feet. Go, because every brick in the French Quarter has a story to tell, and so does the damaged ground of the Ninth Ward, and you should bear witness. Go, because there is much to celebrate, and this is still the best place there is to do so.
"I want to be in that number," goes the song. I do indeed. I hope you do, too."
The rest of it can be read here.
The Introduction piece is pretty nice, too.