New Orleans – An Introduction to the City
When you think of New Orleans, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is Mardi Gras. Party, party, party is New Orleans. I have heard people speculate on why others would put in so much time and energy into rebuilding a city which is doomed to flood. Who needs a party city? Of course those people are not from there, nor have they ever traveled there. If they had, they would understand why the nation fights to save one of its most beloved cities.
It’s not very well known that the Southern Louisiana port is the largest port in the United States which goes from New Orleans up the mighty Mississippi to Baton Rouge. It is also the fifth largest port in the world behind Singapore, Rotterdam, Shanghai and Hong Kong. New Orleans has long been controlling cargo ships importing and exporting goods to the United States making it a very important city indeed. When Katrina hit, not only was oil production stalled as a result, but many of the Midwest crops couldn’t come down the river for export. Steel wasn’t making it to the Detroit auto manufacturers. New Orleans is a very important city indeed.
One of my biggest regrets is not having visited New Orleans prior to Katrina. My sister recently graduated from medical school and started her residency with Louisiana State University based out of New Orleans. I was so excited I jumped at the opportunity to drive with her from the Pacific Northwest to the Deep South. I don’t necessarily recommend driving across country mid June at peak tornado season in the Midwest, but we lucked out with the weather as it was sunny and vibrant the whole way.
As we drove into Louisiana, we drove down the highway which had walls made of bright, bright green foliage lining both sides. There were weeping willow trees whose branches wilted from a very tall height. Mixed in with its leaves were those of the ivy growing up the side of it and cascading back down. Moss hung from the branches which almost glowed. I come from the evergreen state of Washington, the emerald city of Seattle, and let me tell you I have never seen a more beautiful display of green.
Lake Pontchartrain
As we drove along the highway, the walls of green were soon replaced with a large body of water. We were driving over Lake Pontchartrain, the second largest salt water lake in the United States. I could give you the numbers to tell you how big it is, but that won’t do it any justice. We drove over the 24 mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway which is the longest bridge over a body of water in the world. The History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” series did a whole hour dedicated to this bridge construction which began in the 1950’s. They say the bridge is so long, the engineers had to account for the curvature in the earth. As it first started, there were bits of water off to each side of the road crisscrossed with other roads going this way and that. Soon however, there was nothing but water on either side – it was like you were driving into the ocean. It wasn’t long though until we saw land on the other side, and there it was in front of us. New Orleans.
It was love at first site. The city was full of an energy which is almost indescribable. It’s an energy that takes all your cares away. Life may be stressful, but in New Orleans, it’s no worries. Just take care of things one step at a time and all will work itself out.
Unfortunately most of my trip was about getting my sister moved, unpacked and settled into her new place before I had to rush back to the Pacific Northwest. We did manage to get out a few times for food and drink, and I got to see just a speck of what the city was all about. From the dingiest bars to the most elegant restaurants, New Orleans is all about good food. We ate some amazing things at some very reasonable prices. I had some of the best seafood gumbo and a drink for less than $10 in a bar in the French Quarter. A good tip when selecting restaurants in New Orleans: if you see locals lining up to get in, it is so worth it to get in line. The other thing I had to do while there was to get out and listen to a little jazz. If you are a music lover, then you just can’t leave New Orleans without hearing some of the best musicians in the business.
The local folks we met were friendly and jolly regardless of their situation. If you drive through the ninth ward, you can still see the damage and lost homes as if Katrina had just happened. Most locals will openly tell you their Katrina story if asked. Their stories typically result in them telling you how they lost all of their possessions or more. One man told of how he hid family photos in the attic hoping to keep them dry, to no such luck. Then they wrap up their stories with beautiful tales of what they still have and are so grateful for. Being alive is definitely something to celebrate.
I can’t wait to get back to the city to explore more, to eat more, and to hear more.
