Get yourselves to New Orleans ASAP. That's an order!

[KamaAina]

I just got back Sunday evening, and I'm here to tell you that, despite everything they've been through (or rather, that Bush**co have put them through :grr:), it still delivers (at least) as much city as anyplace else in the U.S. Plus, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities around town if you are so inclined; I met with an emerging neighborhood organizattion, and attended a planning meeting for a street redevelopment project.

But just go! If you have to wait until the kids have school vacation, fine, but go then! All the places you know (or know of) emerged relatively unscathed; only a few of the restaurants and hotels are still out. Turns out there was a reason the oldest neighborhoods (French Quarter, Marigny, Uptown) were built on the (relatively) high ground near the river.

Do be sure to stop by the corner of Royal and St. Louis, where a group of young guys plays traditional jazz with a vengeance! You'll be able to say "you knew them when"...

What are you still doing on the computer? Log off and get down there! Now! You hear me?

edit: spelling

[lildreamer316]

1. I've never been...

I told husband that when we had the money it was gonna be our first vacation together (we haven't had a honeymoon or even a beach trip).
That place is SO getting my money.

[trof]

2. Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?

And miss it each night and day
I know Im not wrong... this feelings gettin stronger
The longer, I stay away
Miss them moss covered vines...the tall sugar pines
Where mockin birds used to sing
And Id like to see that lazy mississippi...hurryin into spring

The moonlight on the bayou.......a creole tune.... that fills the air
I dream... about magnolias in bloom......and Im wishin I was there

Do you know what it means to miss new orleans
When thats where you left your heart
And theres one thing more...i miss the one I care for
More than I miss new orleans

The moonlight on the bayou.......a creole tune.... that fills the air
I dream... about magnolias in bloom......and Im wishin I was there

Do you know what it means to miss new orleans
When thats where you left your heart
And theres one thing more...i miss the one I care for
More.....more than I miss.......new orleans

[mentalsolstice]

3. Please convince my husband!

He's a NOLA native, his mom and grandmom are interred in the Metarie cemetery. We used to go at least once a year, but we haven't been since Katrina. We had a favorite hotel on St. Charles, and while the French Qtr was fun, our favorite thing to do was riding the St. Charles streetcar all night, stopping off at bars and restaurants. Otherwise, he would drive me all around the different wards, so I feel like I'm a native by marriage. He would point out the different Catholic school and churches, and talk about ethnic neighborhoods and how the schools competed against each other.

I really miss it...but I'm thinking he's really scared to go...

[KamaAina]

4. Have him read this fine blog by an occasional DUer who moved back

after the storm:

http://wetbankguide.blogspot.com

Several of the archived posts should proved helpful.

[mentalsolstice]

7. Thank you! I will!

We had such a heartache when we looked at the satellite pictures right after Katrina and could see that the mausoleum where his favorite women are, and his boyhood home were under at least 6-10 ft. of water. My FiL has been back, but I don't think he identifies with NOLA like my husband does. FiL is a Mormon-converted-to-Catholic from Salt Lake City. Whereas my husband's maternal relatives go way back in NOLA, and he was really close to his grandmother and her sister, who lived on Royal in the FQtr. Whenever his parents wanted to go out on weekends, which was usually every weekend, he was sent into the FQtr to stay with his grandmother and her sister, while his younger sister spent the night/weekend with her friends. His grandmother's apartment was on Royal (with a courtyard), and it backed up to Pat O'Brien's on Bourbon. We have pictures of him on her balcony during Mardi Gras parades. This was during the 40s and 50s.

In fact...our first date (11-24-90), he invited me to his house for dinner (we had known each other for a couple of months). His mother had passed away six months earlier, and they were just getting around to cleaning out her things. In one of her boxes they found one of his Mardi Gras parade outfits where he had marched as a pageboy (he was probably 12-14 when he wore it), light blue silk knickers with a bow at the knees, and a matching bolero jacket. In a drunken moment, on that first date, he tried it on for me. The knickers fit (but very tight in the hooha area), the jacket, absolutely not. I was totally captivated with him from then on! How many first dates are actually that honest?!

I know, maybe TMI, but NOLA really figures into our history. I so want to get him back there...it will be painful, but we need to get back!

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. Oh I so wish I could.

Three small children claim my priorities. Not complaining mind you, just stating a fact. Though I would imagine my 10 year old would chafe at being referred to as a "small child." Come to think of it, my 3 year old would probably bitch too.

[Little Wing]

6. err, NO thanks

had no desire to go there before the storm, either

[MonkeyFunk]

8. you should!

I was there once, years ago and loved it. Great food, great people, great music.

I want beignets now...