I can’t expect myself at the age of 16 to have such an open minded attitude about life. I mean, these are the very years that led me to become who I am today. That’s how I can easily compare and contrast my trip to New Orleans now at the age of 26 to me at 16 in 2004. My first time in New Orleans was a full family trip in a crammed Toyota Echo straight from Central Florida one Friday Morning and back Sunday evening on a hot weekend in May. Aside from one short walk down Bourbon Street for some tourist shops and dinner on a balcony at 6pm then back to the hotel, and a confusing drive around the confusing maze called streets, our prime purpose there was a medical school graduation. In that short amount of time with such limited mobility, my only perception of the city from its old shotgun houses, lack of street lamps, poor lighting, pot holes, and obvious poverty, I quickly labeled the city dirty and shitty looking and remembered this for many years. Sadly, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city and it’s people a year later.
11 years later, and 10 years after that storm made landfall, I knew I would return to this city with a new pair of eyes and a more enhanced perspective. While Mardi Gras/Carnival was the prime reason to cross something off the bucket list, I still looked forward to the simple state of being on land that was a part of France’s new world, wandering aimlessly along the French Quarter, cemetery hopping to hopping on and off the streetcars, to indulging in the infamous cuisine of Louisiana and the deep south.
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For an American city, New Orleans is truly unique and a one of a kind city. A city I can say is beautiful in it’s very own way despite how it may actually look in many parts. Anyone looking for city upkeep and colonial railed homes lined up throughout the whole city, may want to consider visiting Savannah. Otherwise, the old half corroded shotgun homes with peeled paint, cracked sidewalks, outdated roads, and dim lit streets are all the little things that make this city one of a kind. I was told by my guesthouse host in the Marigny-Bywater area while awaiting a parade, that the city used to practically be like a third world country and that after Katrina hit, the city is a bit caught up. Well, at least up to the 18th century. From the locals whom I have had the pleasure of sharing conversations with, all are very proud of where they are from. As for those who migrated in from elsewhere, they are proud to call NOLA home.
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New Orleans is no doubt a party city and locals are proud of that in their city. Carnival season or not, people of all races, backgrounds, colors, ethnicities, and types, know how to have a good ass time. A huge plus, is the ability to just stroll around with a drink in hand without the law biting a chunk out of your ass. I can’t begin to stress how much fun Carnival season is in NOLA. Its like being a kid, but for grown ups with flying beads, coins, tons of alcohol, and a million people on a few set of blocks loosening up to have a good time. Aside from traffic being far worse in a city not meant for too many cars, the numerous parade route sallow you to get in the same feel in different parts of the city.
Sadly, many areas remain scarred from the wrath of Hurricane Katrina’s fury in 2005. Like the Lower ninth Ward, which I had the privilege of visiting, still has abandoned homes, empty lots, and bare stairs leading to shattered dreams. But despite the slow pace of full recovery, the people of this city remain strong and still continue to be warm, inviting, and friendly. That’s what I love about New Orleans, without being too commercial, it manages to conserve it’s history and culture, on many streets that may seem dangerous but for the most part are safe w/ friendly people. So one thing that really put a smile on my face and is the reason why this is my kind of city to travel in and is the reason why I will return is a simple conversation with my guesthouse neighbors, I said, “Katrina changed the city”. They replied, “Nothing has changed because the tradition is the same. It’s all about the tradition.” 🙂
