One Step at a Time
New Orleans, LA -The Gulf Coast has managed to pull its way through hurricane after hurricane for hundreds of years and Katrina, as devastating as she was in so many ways, is no exception. America is pulling together to help and people all over the world are also taking note and doing their share. It’s all about resilience and there is no one tougher and no one more proud of their city, than the fine people of New Orleans.
Though we’ve seen terrible photos of the flooding in and around New Orleans, there’s always a silver lining in every cloud. What the media is not showing is everything that survived the wrath of Katrina. Quite simply, it just isn’t the best news story at this time. The good news is most if not all of the French Quarter was left undamaged by the storm…only a few parts suffered minimal damage.
Once the power is restored to the Quarter, it won’t take much to make it everything it’s always been and plans are still underway for this year’s Mardi Gras. None of the floats and other materials was destroyed by the storm and it’s “business as usual” for Mardi Gras World on Newton Street for the world’s biggest and hopefully best party in 2006!
Many of the fine and historic hotels in the Quarter are not only “standing” so to speak but are providing refuge for all the police, firemen and other workers who have come from far and near to help. The hotels are running on generated power and full power to the Quarter is expected within days…not months! Obviously, that means there are hotel employees who are working…helping in the recovery by helping those who need a place to stay. When possible, the hotels are providing food and drink and as soon as real power is restored, the hotels will begin to operate in much the same manner as before. Soon, a scrambled egg will become eggs benedict and a roast beef sandwich will become prime rib au jus, giving more and more opportunity for real jobs and a place in the new scheme of New Orleans.
Once the power is restored to the Quarter, it won’t take much to make it everything it’s always been and plans are still underway for this year’s Mardi Gras. None of the floats and other materials was destroyed by the storm and it’s “business as usual” for Mardi Gras World on Newton Street for the world’s biggest and hopefully best party in 2006! The Morial Convention Center is planning on hosting every convention on its calendar once the city is up and running and many restaurants will be gratefully ready to feed every New Orleans’ visitor.
Yes, many people have been displaced and everyone hopes it isn’t too long before they will be able to return and begin their lives once more. N.O.TV and TripSmarter.Com deeply regret the hardships put upon our friends in the “Big Easy,” as New Orleans is a much-loved member of the Tourist Network family. New Orleans is home to many of us, and its citizens, our sisters and brothers. In the coming months, we will do our best to help rebuild the city that holds so many special memories to so many people around the world!
On a positive note, the historic homes in the
Garden district were also for the most part unaffected by the storm.
How nice it will be to hear the clang of the streetcars once more…the
clip clop of the mules and carriages in the Quarter… and
the sound of jazz in every doorway? Lucky for the world, it may
be much sooner than predicted as we watch this great city heal
one step at a time! Surely everyone wants to be in that number…when
the saints go marching in… 
