Blog: Love and hate in New Orleans - Page 2

JessN · January 7th, 2009, 12:28 AM

	Quote:	LCN
	Jess , the I-10 stretch you mentioned on the way in is still terribly bad but , you should've seen it 2 + years ago . There's been pretty good progress in that area over the past year though - so far as new or returning residents .

That's what a coworker told me when I got back.

Also, we came home via U.S. 90, getting off at Waveland, Miss., and getting back on the interstate in Tillman's Corner. Biloxi just ... isn't there. All those beautiful old homes...

crimsonbleeder · January 7th, 2009, 10:31 AM

	Quote:	JessN
	That's what a coworker told me when I got back. Also, we came home via U.S. 90, getting off at Waveland, Miss., and getting back on the interstate in Tillman's Corner. Biloxi just ... isn't there. All those beautiful old homes...

yes...that's a sad area, as Savannahdare can attest. We went to Biloxi a few years back (intending to go to NO, but just couldn't do it) and it was a very sad place. Those homes that used to be so pretty----nothing but sandlots for the most part. Of course, the big money casinos were able to rebuild quickly---I wonder how much money they payed into the community (short of regular taxes) to help THEM rebuild? Obviously, not enough.

banjeaux · January 7th, 2009, 12:52 PM

	Quote:	Hal Bennett
	Having been born in Ragland, Alabama; educated, among other places, at Samford University; and having lived in the New Orleans area for a total of 28 years, I must say to you, respectfully, that your view of New Orleans is typical. Perhaps I could express it this way. My son used to come over here to Gulf Shores, Alabama, from New Orleans, to fish on the state park pier -- it is now being rebuilt after the ravages of Hurricane Ivan some years back. The "regulars" on the pier referred to anyone who was NOT a regular as a "tourist." New Orleans has always had its two aspects, just like some tourist meccas in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. There is the flashy side that the tourists see; and then there is the poverty that envelopes the island. And New Orleans is an island in more ways than one. Not only is it a bowl, sitting precipitously between Lake Ponchartrain and the Mississippi, it is an island of European culture sitting squarely on of the edge of the Bible Belt. No, most of the French-extract people there no longer know French at all. But their culture is definitely largely derived from their French and Italian roots. Throw in the African-American culture and a few Anglos, both of whom are suffered by the older culture, and you begin to understand New Orleans. banjeaux wrote: Wow! Brother Bennett, indeed, there is no place like home sweet home Alabama. But, you've live near "America's most interesting city," for 28 years, and missed so much! It is well known, "If you love New Orleans, she will love you right back." No one is more frugal than I. There is so much to see that is free. Take a look at this tour plan: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cobra1899/pauls_journey/1202433540/tpod.html Yes, initially, New Orleans was settled by the French, like Mobile. Later, Spanish controlled. After 1803, New Orleans became a part of the U.S., which brought Americans, who settled upriver from Canal St. That is more than a few Anglos. Later came, in no particular order: Irish, Germans, Italians. New Orleans is a unique American city with a unique history. A good history of New Orleans makes for entertaining reading. You mentioned the "factories" you saw on the way out of town. They only APPEARED to be factories. The only factory I ever found in New Orleans was one that made neckties, and that one was downtown, not far from the Superdome. That is New Orleans', and Louisiana's, problem. Alabama has been raking in the contracts lately, though there are one or two car factories, I hear, in north Louisiana. New Orleans is about tourism and the Port. That's it. The Superdome itself is based upon a certain segment of the Tourism industry. Then there is the Seafood Industry, which basically is a thousand little industries, from individual people with crabnets to shrimpboats and restaurants -- much of which is connected to Tourism. Finally, there is Mardi Gras, the MAIN concern of New Orleans, and of course it is all about tourism. New Orleans has always been like this, in one way or the other. In Antebellum times, the city was dependent upon the rest of the South for the cotton that piled up in bales on the wharves along the Mississippi -- just as it now depends upon tourists who come down to the Sugar Bowl and for Mardi Gras. The inhabitants of New Orleans view themselves as being on display -- for your favor. They are catering to you, either by carrying your bags, or by providing a show for you at Mardi Gras. Any way you look at them, they see themselves as being Orleanians, and you are among everyone else, those who come down to provide their living.

[banjeaux will edit later to post additional comments.]

derek4tide · January 7th, 2009, 01:02 PM

Great article, Jess. We were in NOLA in May 2008. This was my first trip back post Katrina. The one thing that I noticed around the Quarter was the fewer number of street performers. The music of the street was almost none existent compared to 10 years ago. Also, most of the bars were playing hard rock with very few playing jazz or zydeco. And the hard rock was from a tape and not even live. I was disappointed to discover that NOLA has become a tourist town who has lost her soul. I will go back and love the city even with the changes, but it is very different now.

SavannahDare · January 7th, 2009, 01:05 PM

	Quote:	crimsonbleeder
	yes...that's a sad area, as Savannahdare can attest. We went to Biloxi a few years back (intending to go to NO, but just couldn't do it) and it was a very sad place. Those homes that used to be so pretty----nothing but sandlots for the most part. Of course, the big money casinos were able to rebuild quickly---I wonder how much money they payed into the community (short of regular taxes) to help THEM rebuild? Obviously, not enough.

Yeah, there are still lots of "steps to nowhere" on lots that used to be home to antebellum homes looking over the ocean. The live oaks that withstood the storm still look sad and forlorn without those beautiful homes as a backdrop. But, many of the businesses in Biloxi are getting back up and running (minus the ones that got wiped out on the beach) and the casinos are providing much-needed employment that has allowed local families to have income and benefits so they could get back on their feet, although there have been significant layoffs in recent months due to the recession. Further west, in Bay St. Louis, the main oceanfront thoroughfare and businesses are finally making a push to finish construction by the end of this year. For a town that was basically wiped off the face of the earth, that's very good news.

bamafan76 · January 7th, 2009, 03:58 PM

JessN,

Thanks for sharing your experience while here in NOLA. I myself can say I suffered from Katrina. Lived here. Came back to a flooded home as did most. Lost tons of memories and items never to be replaced. Rebuilt my home practically from wall to wall mostly myself while my wife watched while we were expecting our first child. Gave up an opportunity to join TIDE PRIDE of all things right after the storm due to our situation emotionally and financially. But we overcame. We're still here, enjoying life with our son, and thanking GOD that we still have life. As fate would have it, I got my second opportunity to join TIDE PRIDE and took the offer. I did not attend UA, but have always been a fan, support the TIDE win or lose, and appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers while we and SO many others suffered. I only wish that your trip back would've been a WIN for us. For me, the drive home was over in 10 minutes. Thanks again for the article, I enjoy reading every article you put out and enjoy being a part of the best BAMA website.

wardaddy · January 10th, 2009, 02:59 AM

Great synopsis of your trip Jess. This was my first trip to NOLA. While I had a bad experience at my hotel with the staff (they were nice, the service was just horrible) the rest of the trip was a blast. I fully intend on taking another trip back in the next few months to use the free stay we got from our hotel for the terrible service. The city did not fit what I'd heard from people here in central AL. I was told it was crime ridden and not to walk the streets at night. I was then told by a physician friend who did his fellowship at Tulane that the downtown district was safe. We experienced no problems while walking at all hours of the morning. We'll def. be back.