New Orleans: Port of Embarkation

So what's important to know about New Orleans?

First of all, the things that tourists have always loved about the city are still there-- almost totally (from a physical standpoint) unaffected by Katrina: the Garden District and the French Quarter. True, the eastern portion of the city (that closest to Lake Pochartrain) was--and is still--devastated by the hurricane. And true, a lot of the people of New Orleans have undergone a diaspora--a dispersion to other parts of the country. And true, there are not enough cops in the city; the crime rate in certain categories has increased. But the typical tourist is not even aware of these things.

What is really important to know about New Orleans is that it represents a way of life: music, good food, and an environment that encourages the creative spirit. It is not Disneyland, but it is a cultural gem to be savored. Try the crawfish pie; try a Mufalatto sandwich; listen to the street musicians; savor the Mississippi River; go to a bar where a New Orleans jazz band is playing; enjoy Jazzfest; enjoy the Noise Parade; be entranced by the museums and art galleries; try the coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde; listen to the steam calliope from the paddle wheeler Natchez.

If you want to get the pulse of New Orleans--warts and all--subscribe to these two podcasts:
Blogging New Orleans: podcast.bloggingneworleans.com/rss.xml
and
New Orleans Podcasting: neworleanspodcasting.com/rss/NewOrleansPodcasting.xml