[SavannahDare]

Nicely written, and thank you for it. New Orleans has been my favorite city ever since I was a student at UA and my roomate, whose mother comes from a very old Creole family in NOLA, basically kidnapped me and took me down for an up-close-and-personal tour for my 19th birthday (drinking age was still 18 in LA then!). Now that we live only 75 minutes east, on the Gulf Coast of MS, we have rejoiced at NOLA's slow return from the ravages of the Katrina aftermath. Our early trips over after the storm were heartbreaking, but each trip since has shown us more life, fewer FEMA trailers, fewer blue roofs, and more of the electricity that epitomizes this amazing city. I wish I could say the Gulf Coast of MS is recovering with the same gusto, but, alas, it goes slowly for many of my neighbors here. Still, this whole area of the country, from New Orleans to Mobile, is very determined to fully recover from the devastation that was Katrina, and Ivan before her. There is something very special here. The local flavor, be it the people, the food, the music, or simply life on the bayou and the ocean, is the most unique I've ever lived in. I am so proud to be a part of it. I am so proud that most of my neighbors chose to come home and rebuild, higher, stronger, and with hearts that will not be deterred.