As many of you know, before I set out on my Appalachian Trail adventure I delivered my furry baby to my old college roomie in rural Louisiana. In early April I set out on a trip to retrieve my son, but first I stopped in the grand old city of New Orleans to visit another college roomie who now lives there. I first visited New Orleans in 1996, there for just a day (my college roomie was getting married in Baton Rouge and she was showing my North Carolina buddy and myself Sin City). A lot has changed in that city post Katrina, but a lot has stayed the same.
When you're in the French Quarter its hard to believe that the horror of Katrina actually happened. But walking through the neighborhoods surrounding and this is what you see:
No that's not graffiti. Locally they are called 'Katrina Crosses', used by search and rescue to mark the houses they searched. They are a chilling reminder of that tragedy. Many people have chosen not to paint over the marks and you can see where the walls have been repainted around them. I also saw several instances where a local artist has created a metal re-creation of the Katrina Cross and it is bolted to the wall in that spot. In a way its the people are saying "We will NOT forget!". All over the city there are thousands upon thousands of these crosses, most on homes or buildings that are not inhabited and/or are completely UNinhabitable. To say the least the reality of it was very sobering for me.
(Now on to happier things)
There are many icons of New Orleans that either are world famous or are must sees.
The food:
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This crawfish boil was actually at the home of Shay's sitter
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| Our 'left over' portion from a cheese plate at the cheese shop. We were not brave enough to eat it... |
The cementeries:
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| The tomb of Marie Laveau at St. Louis Cemetery #1 |
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| I admit I am familiar with Marie thanks to Bobby Bare and Shel Silverstein: Marie Laveau |
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| Apparently this tomb at St. Louis Cemetery #1 was in Easy Rider |
Lets not forget other icons:
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| Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral |
And as they say in Louisiana:
