New Orleans: 9 Months After Katrina

On this trip we drove from Key West via the west coast of Florida to New Orleans, 9 months after hurricane Katrina hit the area. After the panhandle the devastation got worse and it didn't feel like a holiday anymore. When we crossed the bridge and drove into the desolated suburbs of New Orleans it felt like we were entering a ghost town. We've been to a couple of ghost towns in the south-west, but this was eerie. Like a bad horror movie...

We only saw abandoned houses, closed shopping malls, and empty streets. Only when we reached the French Quarter we saw the first people. We checked in to our hotel with tears in our eyes.

What the hell were we doing there? Later that evening we walked through the streets of the French Quarter and it seemed like business as usual. But something was different. We found out soon enough. Every store, restaurant, or bar we visited, people where thanking us for coming. And every time we heard these awful stories of the things these people went through.

But every conversation ended with a smile and a strange sparkle of hope in the eyes of these people. I'm still getting goose bumps when I'm looking back. This city will rise again, that's a fact. But at what price?
Overall after 4 days we were sad to leave this city. Sad because we made some friends we'll never forget, met people with stories that were breathtaking. And yes we also had fun times, good meals, and drank a lot... just as you're supposed to do when you visit New Orleans.
And we'll be back!

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Well here's a taste of the old French history of New Orleans. This historical hotel kept its chique and is still reasonably priced. Where else can you find a pool in little garden with free parking space?
But the best is the view from the balcony downwards the business district; you can see the cathedral at Jackson square and the skyscrapers of downtown. Some of the best restaurants are just around the corner!

Le Richelieu is a hotel that's at least two classes higher than you are paying for. Oh and the staff... They are so helpful you don't need a tourist office!

Café Angeli was our home base on our two New Orleans visit. This place serves great Italian breakfast bread roles with lots of lettuce. And they can cook a great pasta too!

The atmosphere is really mellow, since most of the customers are locals. It is right across the market on the north riverside of the French Quarter. In the evening you can catch some great jazz bands or jam sessions. The people that work there are really helpful and can give you tips where to stay or what store to visit. it is one of the only places that stay open until 4 o'clock, where you can get a guiness or a nice snack before you hit your hotel bed!

There is no other city in the world where you can enjoy such variety of music in the streets. From the obvious Cajun/Zydeco to the dixieland Jazz, and everything between it. On almost every street corner you can find a band or a singer with a guitar. And every bar or pub has a band playing. Just stay away from the karaoke/cover band strip on Bourbon Street. Oh and if you ever see a parade following a street band, join in and get in to the groove... You might end up at the cemetary... paying your regards to some funky dude that just died. And you'll be drinking on his tap!