back from New Orleans...



Cafe Aulait and Beignets in French Quarter

Sorry I haven't posted (or commented on your post) in about a week.  Just returned from a week in New Orleans visiting relatives and 'old haunts'.  It was wonderful.  I got my cafe aulait and beignet 'fix', as well as a great soft shell crab po-boy, red beans and rice, and a wonderful pecan praline style catfish plate!

Friends and family took us down to the 9th ward (3rd time since Katrina) where we got to see what was being done.  There is still a lot of empty lots as well as boarded up houses that were abandoned, but there is a lot of new construction also.  We saw where Brad Pit is building houses (strange looking housing - but housing!), and  saw the Music Village where they are building homes for musicians encouraging them to move back to N.O (these I liked and are in keeping with the style of the area).

They also took us to the Lakefront and Lakeview area where my family's house used to be.  That house (that my dad built) is gone and still remains an empty lot.  But the area has been cleaned up and new houses are everywhere.

One of the levees that broke is within walking distance of my cousin's house in Lakeview.  Her house needed to be demolished and everything was lost.  It took her these last 7 years to get her house rebuilt and built to the 'new standards'.  The living area is all on the 2nd floor... so if 10 feet of water come in again, it should be safe...?  (With Isaac threatening any day, we may test this theory)

 This is my old high school (St. Mary's Dominican)  on St. Charles Ave. which used to be in combination with Dominican College, but is now owned by Loyola University.  St. Charles Ave. was not hit too badly with Katrina and things looked pretty much the same along the old street car lines. This area is beautiful and the trees lining the streets remain.

All in all, New Orleans looks good.  It's been cleaned up since Katrina and in my opinion, is 'on its way back'  (if Isaac doesn't cause havoc).  At one time I was not inclined to believe this could happen (the devastation was so vast).

Another favorite place of mine is City Park.  I love City Park. It is a huge park with huge old oak trees and lagoons, ducks, etc.  - and it had fallen into somewhat negligence and disrepair before Katrina.  I didn't see it immediately after, but was told that it was a mess.  We visited this past week and it had been cleaned up and fixed up and it was just beautiful. 

I guess this is my post for today.  Please pray that Isaac doesn't cause too much trouble.  As strong as it is, this city and its people don't need another set-back.  I know they are 'prepared'... as much as you can be... and I know (from personal hear-say) that many will not leave.

Now I'm going to spend the rest of my morning reading 'your posts' (the ones I missed while gone).  It will keep me from worrying about family at home. 

Thanks for reading.