New Orleans Slowly Returns To Normal..Pics of Saturday

[GalvestonDuck]

Like I said, I saw dumpsters too...lots and lots of them. There were a few on Canal and I recall one on Bourbon (during the day). At night, it was clear on Bourbon though.

[Audrey2Katrina]

You didn't know about the s2k get-together? 20 something of us met up in the quarter and went to dinner and hit bourbon st. Had a wonderful time. It was fun meeting up with other weathernuts.

It certainly was... you should'a made one of 'em... 'haps the next one.

A2K

[Sean in New Orleans]

Where did ya'll go?

[Audrey2Katrina]

We cruised the Quarter... Redfish Grill and beyond 1st time; but my neph was graduating Brother Martin that night and had a leadership speech I couldn't miss, so I left early.... NOT so the second one... met 'em at Razoo's, (they started at Pat O'Briens, --wish I could've gotten there, but time conflicts-- and from there out on the streets ... I wound up on a second story balcony at the Frat House till almost 3 AM, and went uptown with my former students till around 5... quite a night. A few of us got scattered walking around.. but we all had a great time, and it was nice to put a face to all those screen names, you really should try to make the next one.

A2K

[simplykristi]

We know that the French Quarter and Uptown areas sustained some damage and were able to get back up and running in short order. There are many areas of NO that are still not livable. Look at St. Bernard Parish where most of the homes were damaged or destoryed. Look at the Ninth Ward. I am glad that the media shows the areas of devastation. The Gulf Region has a long ways to go before the rebuilding is done.

Kristi

[Audrey2Katrina]

The Gulf Region has a long ways to go before the rebuilding is done.

This goes without saying, as the evidence is literally EVERYWHERE around us. Still, focusing on the "up" side now and then does the spirit a little good.

A2K

[Jack8631]

I posted this album link in the announcement thread, but thought it would be fitting to put them here as well. Pics I took of Bourbon St and some from the Holiday Inn - these would be from the day of the 2nd get-together.

http://community.webshots.com/album/551061996qjjnfy

IF you had never been to the French Quarter before and knew little about it, and IF you didn't have to drive through some of the surrounding areas to get there, you might not have noticed there was ever a problem in New Orleans. Lots of "Ifs", but I'm impressed with the local's spirit.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Indeed, Jack! You certainly were in the "spirit" of things!

A2K

[TSmith274]

Thanks Sean... great pics.

[Swimdude]

You didn't know about the s2k get-together? 20 something of us met up in the quarter and went to dinner and hit bourbon st. Had a wonderful time. It was fun meeting up with other weathernuts.

I haven't been back to New Orleans since June of 2005 - when I went sailing on the Ponchartrain. [I hope I spelled that right. I'm pretty sure I did.] I would want nothing more than to return... I suppose a S2K gathering will have to wait for me until I'm a bit older - but I sure would like to return to New Orleans. But it'll never, ever be the same... I'll never forget the Houston Chronicle's headline, the day AFTER the hurricane hit...

"80% of the city underwater"

and then in letters about 2 inches high,

"HEARTBREAKING"





However! It's WONDERFUL to see the city returning. Mardi Gras even prevailed! [And New Orleans has only missed 7 Mardi Gras celebrations since the tradition began - most of which occured during WWII.]

WOOHOO NEW ORLEANS!