This was originally posted to our old Forum:
Mike Leco
USATourist Administrator
Joined: 14 Jun 2004
Posts: 101
Location: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
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 Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject: New Orleans today |
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As everyone knows, New Orleans was devestated by hurricane Kartina last year. The levees or dikes protecting the city from the waters of the adjacent lakes and rivers burst and flooded a vast portion of the city. Many lives were lost and most of the city was severely damaged or destroyed.
Today. the city remains severely damaged and only partially reopened. The historic French Quarter with many of its tourist attractions was spared from the devastation as were many of the more affluent neighborhoods. Those parts of the city have reopened for business. You can go to New Orleans, stay in one of the finer hotels and frequent some of its famous restaurants and entertainment venues. Yet, the city is still badly injured and slow to recover.
Approximately sixty percent of the city neighborhoods are still closed and without many essential services. Homes are abandoned or destroyed. Businesses are closed and many blocks are completely deserted. Nearly two thirds of the original inhabitants of this grand old city have not yet returned. Some of them may never return. Their homes have been destroyed. They have no place to live, and they have no jobs to come back to.
If you come to New Orleans to visit the quaint old French Quarter, to eat in the fine restaurants and to revel at the entertainment spots, you can certainly do that, but you will be surrounded by a ghost city where miles and miles of vibrant neighborhoods have been turned into ghostly silence. The smaller restaurants and shops frequented by local natives are permanently closed. Many of the entertainers and colorful local citizens no longer live in the city. They are scattered across the USA in other cities. I am afraid that much of the culture and the soul of this unique city has been wiped out by hurricane Katrina. The city may get some of it back in the future, but I fear that it will never be the same. The city will eventually be rebuilt as a new and modern metropolis rising like a Phoenix from the ashes of the destruction of this grand old city.
Meanwhile, if you are considering a visit to New Orleans this summer, you must decide for yourself if it will be worth it. | |