I took a cab from New Orleans airport to the French Quarter. Partly because Di, a loyal blog reader, complained that I hadn’t caught enough in NY. Mainly because the cheaper shuttle service has been running properly since Katrina.
My driver was an ancient, skinny-assed good old boy whose hands shook as he tried to unlock the boot for my bag. On the way into town he pointed out the government-supplied trailers that the locals were living in while they were fixing their houses and the hole in the roof on the Superdome. He still had a tarp on the roof of his home and was waiting for insurance so he could get it repaired.
The French Quarter was left largely untouched by the hurricane but they’re still hurting. I did the voodoo tour earlier tonight and I was the only one on it. The only reason the guide went ahead with it was because I told her I was a travel writer. On Bourbon Street sh*t-hot boogie bands are giving it their all in bars that are empty. The people here are trying to put on a brave face but the lack of visitors seems to be getting them down.
Apart from For Sale signs, the most popular sign is ‘Help Wanted.’
I’m still trying to figure out if they’re looking for staff. Or sending out a plea to tourists.
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Is the Elysian Field Street still habitable?
Hi Judy,
I was just out there today – there are a few places where people are living but most of the houses along Elysian Field are abandoned. The extent of the destruction is just mindblowing. 80% of the city has been totalled.
Much appreciated …
writes the loyal blog reader.