New Orleans

Admittedly, I haven't been to New Orleans since January 2005. I fell in love with New Orleans (pronounced NU OR-LEE-UNS) from the moment I arrived into the French Quarter. It was my first stop after the airport (ugh...hate THAT place) and the sights, sounds, & genteel-ness of the city just entranced me!!

I just saw a couple of specials on New Orleans on Fine Living & the Food Network. I was tearing up at what I saw...their attempts at coming back to the glory that was once a city who's tag line was "Let the Good Times Roll". I'm not sure but I think Anthony Bourdain's New Orleans was shot and filmed last year. If it was, it really does make me sad. Things don't seem to have picked up enough at the restaurants. Entire communities have been wiped out and not rebuilt.

It made me want to go back and see for myself what has changed since 2005. I've sent an to my friends, Erin, Fuyu, and Christy to see if there are any takers. I'm hoping they'll say yes. I thought at first that I'd want to go during Jazzfest but the more I think about it, the more I think they need people to come during times when they're not so busy. They need our money to flow back into the city so that they can survive.

I don't know many cities that have had a catastrophe like this that has affected me so much. Not New York, not Oklahoma, not San Fran...heck not even Northridge and that's in my backyard!

Here's hoping that i'll be able to enjoy a chicory cafe and a beignet soon!!