New Orleans

[dgs49]

On a lark, the wife and I just spent a short week in New Orleans, tasting the culture, the geography, the history, and the food.

I was very positively impressed - possibly because my expectations were relatively mild with all the bad press about Katrina and its aftermath. But I found a prospering, beautiful city, with friendly people and tons of enjoyable things to do.

There is a sordid side, of course. Bourbon Street is a loud, obnoxious venue, but the people who spend time there know exactly what they are in for, and are there on purpose. I did not see any significant panhandling (not enough to be bothered about), and if there is any significant street prostitution, the hookers are relative discrete. (The way most young women seem to dress these days, it would be difficult to tell a whore from a Lady GagaWannabe).

There are great shopping places, excellent museums (the WWII museum has nothing to do with New Orleans, but was still outstanding), great places to walk, run, or bicycle, great places for people-watching and listening to music. The trolley system is slow and erratic (don't use it if you need to be somewhere by a certain time), but offers a few picturesque and enjoyable rides. Running the trolley median (mostly grass covered) along the St Charles Street line was very cool.

We rented an E-Glide and rode out to a couple plantations and to a "swamp tour," all of which were enjoyable and informative. The roads were full of construction vehicles and trucks; there is a lot of gub'mint money being spent in Southern Louisiana.

The weather was turning Summer-ish while we were there. The first couple days were moderate, but then it moved into the mid-80's with high humidity. I can't imagine it would be very pleasant there in the middle of the Summer.

We took an excellent guided tour that included some of the devastated areas. I left there thinking that there is opportunity for investment there for a long time to come. The CIty is taking a slow, deliberate process to get as many properties restored as possible and to demolish those that have no realistic hope. Brad Pitt is VERY highly regarded in the area for his work in restoring and rebuilding housing (I think his foundation is called, "Build it Right" or something like that.

Nicholas Cage was arrested for public drunkeness while we were there. A lot of other Hollywood noteworthies have connections with the city. I sat on a stoop across from Sandra Bullock's house, but did not have an opportunity to get to know her, in the Biblical sense.

All in all, it was a good, short vacation. I'm glad I went, and I would strongly recommend it for anyone looking for a reasonable-cost, good time.

[Gob]

Nice review Dave, thanks.

(Was the e-glide blue?)

[oldr_n_wsr]

ALways wanted to visit NO. Thanks for the info dgs49. I'll have to remember to make the visit before the end of April (I hate hazy, hot and humid).

[Rick]

For future reference NOLA...

[loCAtek]

Nicholas Cage was arrested for public drunkeness...

Really? Do they even bother with that anymore? At any given time, 73% or more of the city's population is either intoxicated, or serving intoxicants.


...oh wait, he's rich.

[loCAtek]

For future reference NOLA...

...and the river boat ride; and the Tabasco Factory.

[dgs49]

I saw and heard the expression NOLA quite a bit, but I think I'll leave that to the locals.

The E-glide was blue.

We did one of the two riverboat rides - the one that goes to the site of the Battle of New Orleans. The brochure on the Natchez ride seemed to indicate that much of the tour was a tour of the boat itself, which didn't interest me.

I am now reading Life on the Mississippi. Never got around to it before.

There was more to Mr. Cage's misbehavior than simple public drunkeness. I think he also smacked around his current bitch. It seems that sometimes wonderfully talented artists have a seemy side to their personality.

And some people who have no talent whatsoever, but have advanced through family connections and whatnot ultimately manifest what worthless sots they are, in spite of incredible wealth.

Just sayin'.

[rubato]

I love New Orleans. A true cultural mecca in many respects. Fantastic music, great food, interesting buildings. A style of existence which is all its own.

Only Brazil produces more music of note than N'awlins. No other country has produced even as much over the past century.

If you've never been there, then you've never been to America.

yrs,
rubato