New Orleans - the Other Story

Mom reported to us that she went on the "Katrina Tour" in New Orleans Friday afternoon. As noted in the previous post, she is staying in a hotel on Canal Street in the French Quarter. That part of the city was damaged by Katrina, but is back in business for the most part. It's a totally different story for much of the rest of New Orleans-very sad. Mom shared a few photographs with us.





Many houses are severely damaged and their neighborhoods look abandoned. Others are under renovation as their owners live in trailers parked in the yard.

A hole in the roof indicates that its residents were trapped by the flood and had to retreat to the roof by cutting a hole in it and await rescue.

Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis are the forces behind some Habitat for Humanity homes in the upper Ninth Ward. They are brightly colored. All houses are now on raised foundations. That's required for insurance coverage. (Photo taken from the opposite side of a tour bus)

The bus tour did have a pit stop at the Botanical Garden in City Park. It has been renovated and the flowers are gorgeous. It's quite a gem in the midst of so much devastation.

The Louisiana oaks are gorgeous. Many were lost in the hurricane, but many also still survive. This one has lovely ferns growing along the huge horizontal branches.

On a lighter not, Mom's conference group went to something called "Mardi Gras World" last night. This huge warehouse/tourist attraction is filled with Mardi Gras parade props. Some were absolutely surreal and even frightening.

Here's Chuckie with his bride. They are huge.

Mom said that after walking by the Cafe du Monde many times over the last few days, she finally stopped in for its famous beignets (French doughnuts). They were hyped up so much that Mom reports that she was disappointed by them.

Since this is a CAT BLOG after all, here's one of the feral cats in Jackson Square. Mom says that the kitties distanced themselves as the camera tried to focus in the dark.

~J&B