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NOLA in 2004

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.

New Orleans Skyline steamboat

New Orleans Skyline

Crescent City Bridge from Crescent Park

Crescent City Bridge from Crescent Park

Gorgeous Riverfront View New Orleans Mississippi River

Gorgeous Riverfront View

French Quarter

Somewhere in the French Quarter

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square

Jazz Royal Street French Quarter New Orleans

Iconic Image of the infamous Jazz scene on Royal Street.

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.

Krewe of Cork parade.

Krewe of Cork parade.

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Mardi Gras 2015 Mardi Gras colonel Sanders Mardi Gras beads

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.

jambalaya beigenets dixie beer new orleans food

Some delicious Jambalaya (and Beignets-not in photo)

New Orleans City Park

New Orleans City Park

Walking Along Canal Street

Walking Along Canal Street

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.

Lower Ninth Ward New Orleans Katrina

On a street in the Lower 9th Ward, an area that has seen much destruction and slow recovery from Hurricane Katrina. 10 years later, and there are still empty lots and abandoned homes.

Lower Ninth Ward Levee.

Lower Ninth Ward Levee.

New Orleans streetcar

New Orleans streetcar. PS- DO NOT CALL THEM TROLLEYS, SOME ORLEANEANS HAVE HEART ATTACKS IF NOT CALLED STREETCARS. -__-

Parade along St. Charles

Parade along St. Charles

Anne Rice Garden District

One of many beautiful homes in the Garden District. House of Anne Rice.

New Orleans Sunset

New Orleans Sunset

Louisiana food Crawfish Étouffée

More delicious NOLA/ Louisiana food, Crawfish Étouffée

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.” 🙂

Mardi Gras king cake

Delicious Mardi Gras King Cake

Crescent City Bridge

Crescent City Bridge

Lake Pontchartrain Bridge

One of the longest bridges in the world and the longest in the U.S. – Lake Pontchartrain Bridge

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