We're sitting here drinking Miller High Life (the thing to drink down here), resting our sore butts after a long day of bike riding around New Orleans. It was an excellent view of the city and a great way to recover from drinks last night and po'boys at 3am. I got to meet one of my long-lost cousins who grew up here. We met at the R Bar and it was strange waiting and looking around for a relative who I had never seen before. Turns out he was calling me on his cell while standing right next to me.
The city itself seems like a very laid back place (aside from the French Quarter). Majestic homes built in the late 1700's line the streets alongside oaks that are more majestic still. Streetcars rumble up and down the boulevard, full of tourists who only sometimes wave back at you. There are still signs of Katrina. Abandoned homes scattered around the neighborhood where we are staying (the house we are in was itself flooded). A house or two still have the spray paint markings put up by inspectors who went through each home after the flooding. A large white "X", the date of inspection, and the number of bodies found. Still, signs of recovery are everywhere: Construction crews fixing houses, for rent signs, fresh cement being laid down. However, we didn't pass through the really bad areas, where apparently whole neighborhoods still sit in ruins or have been bulldozed over.
Tonight we head over to watch some roller derby. Our first ever match! Tomorrow, perhaps some live jazz or zydeco. Need to catch a brass band too. A lovely stroll through some swamp is also on our agenda. And more great food. So much to do!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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