December 23rd, 2007 by 
Michael in New Orleans, LA Selecting from a long list of cities already been visited, my family had to decide where we’d spend our Christmas holiday. San Francisco has been worn out like Firestone tires on a Ford Explorer, Hawaii was done for vacation too many times and all the large US cities (New York, Chicago, Seattle, L.A. etc) have been conquered by the fearless Shepherds. It all came down to a suggestion given by a friend to go visit New Orleans. The first mention of this gave my mom a sour look in her face, we assured her that yes, the touristy areas like the French Quarter were spared from Katrina’s devastation.
Yesterday my family plus my aunt from the Maple Syrup State of Vermont all flew into the Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport. Getting a shuttle into the city, we drove across interwinding highways that divided cemeteries from one side of the road to the other. Passing the superdome, it was hard to imagine this place was once a refugee place for all the people who were displaced because of the flood. Every other building below us, I could see there was some type of repair going on, most yards were trashed with debris from repairs.
Getting to our townhouse where we’d spend the next five days, George made sure he diligently explained all the in’s and out’s of the place. He’s lived in N.A. for 15 years and I think from him staying here that long he has fulfilled being a house host and a travel guide. I think a few times we had to get him back on track so that we (“I”) could haul all the luggage up the spiraling 19th century staircase up to the third floor. Ughhh…..
Today was the site-seeing day, we walked down to bourbon street and laughed at the side stores that advertised Voodoo products, some places that gave old authentic Jazz performances and plenty of bars where you can find some nearby drunk on the side of the street holding a beer. We enjoyed some Cafe Au Lait and powdered beignets from the Cafe du Monde. It was packed with people by noon but we fought for a small circle table to claim as ours. The robotic like lines of workers held trays of drinks and donuts snacks, one by one, they would take the next order out to the waiting customers. This went on the whole time we were there.
Our day came to an end after we crossed the whole french quarter to have a surprise cuban meal, something we must always do on every trip, for mom. The meal was great although after narrowing down the ethnicity of the workers in the cuban restaurant, we found out the cooks were at least cubans. The clipper, as a news weather man back home terms it, came right smack through New Orleans that night and made our day come to a quick end. Making it two blocks in the torrential downpour, we called a taxi. Our indian friend took us in no time to a haven place of The Courtyards.
Overall so far, I think New Orleans is great and the people here are very friendly and courteous. I’m not sure if it’s so much as New Orleans dying for tourism but everywhere you look some smiling face is waiting to welcome you into their restaurant.
