Day 18 of 63

 

We have arrived in New Orleans where it’s motto is “Laisseez Les Bons Temps Rouler” or as others may say it, Let the Good Times Roll!

…. And roll they do.

It is interesting arriving in New Orleans during its revival although Hurricane Katrina was in August of 2005, so nearly 8 years down the track there are still derelict and battered homes that are boarded up waiting for demolition there are houses in the process of being renovated.  Interestingly most of the homes that where literally blown or swept away in the Ninth Ward were experiencing winds of 250 mph but the water level reached 20 feet before is settled down to 13 feet, but the controversial situation is that the homes are being rebuilt in exactly the same place which is already 12 feet below sea level, there is an absolute certainly that these homes will flood again.  Those people who were insured have had to build their homes on very high stilts, so high that lifts are often installed at the front of the house.

The main tourist part of New Orleans, the French Quarter which was built in 1734 and was built on higher ground and only had kerb high flooding, which we experienced yesterday, one minute the sun was shining and next the rain fell down and got heavier and heavier, to make matters worse there are drains from the roof  tops that pour straight into the street.  It lasted about 30 minutes then the sun came out and dried the streets.  Unfortunately, we got caught out and had left the sky light windows open in the RV and came back to bed full of water, luckily there are launderettes on site.

Unless an outsider knew about the disaster that happened here 7 years ago there is no clue in the atmosphere and the local people as the streets are full of music and laughter.  Every street you turn into there is live music, music from the bars, cafes, restaurants, street corners and in the market places.  Everywhere there is a band, usually a piano, banjo, drums, bass guitar and often clarinet, double bass, washboards and many more instruments.  It is wonderful listening to music from Dixieland jazz, trad jazz, blues and in Boubon Street funky music, we love it.

We have done the touristy tours, including a two hour ghost walk through The French Quarter, not at all scary, a three hour coach tour with a driver who was directly affected by Katrina, so very interesting getting a first hand commentary, then yesterday we went on a paddle steamer up the Mississippi.  This evening, our last day before we go to Texas, we are going to an Oyster Festival on the Mississippi foreshore; someone has got to do it!

Highlights

New Orleans, New Orleans

People of New Orleans

Lows

Wet bed!

The humidity is draining

Typical Menu

One of many unique Cafes, we eat off plastic plates with plastic cutlery, Louisiana has not heard of recycling!

One of thousands of homes waiting for demolition

After the flood, every house was checked for bodies and this sign left on the front of the house, date checked and number of bodies found or not. People are now repainting the originals on their renovated homes as reminders.

In the market, taking requests

and it rained!!!!!!