New Orleans Pix

Today was our first trip into New Orleans. We had to do some shopping in Hammond (9 miles west of the campground) so we approached the city from the west. It was an interesting run. Interstate 55 travels on a causeway that runs over the bayous between Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. There are waterways running alongside and crossing under the causeway. These waterways are the highways for the people that live in the bayous. We can see their homes and the fishing boats from the road.

The western approach to New Orleans on Interstate 10 takes us over the western edge of Lake Pontchartrain, through Metairie and into the city. There were a few signs of damage visible from the highway, perhaps the most famous is the Superdome roof, which is still undergoing repairs.

The New Orleans Convention Center, which became famous (infamous?) after the storm for the forgotten storm victims is the site of the American Library Association Annual Meeting. This is the first major convention in town since Hurricane Katrina. Most of the Convention Center is open with one small portion undergoing repairs. Adjacent to the Convention Center is Riverwalk, a major tourist attraction with shops and restaurants. Walking through Riverwalk was depressing. We have been here many times in the summer and it was always busy with large crowds. As we walked, we noticed the absence of crowds, many closed shops and that most of the restaurants are not back in operation. We continued our walk past the Aquarium of the Americas, which also lacked the usual crowds, and along North Peters and Decatur Streets. One of our memories from past visits were the lines trying to get into the Hard Rock Cafe on North Peters... there were no lines today. We did not go into the French Quarter today but a look down the relatively empty streets told the story of post Katrina New Orleans.

Is New Orleans back? From what we saw, we have to conclude that it has a long way to go to be the lively city we remembered. Will it come back? Probably From what I have read, there is still a reluctance for tourists to come back to New Orleans for a variety of reasons. One of the most obvious is concern for personal security. The crime rate is climbing and a few days before our arrival, 600 National Guard troops were deployed to New Orleans to support the Police Department (we didn't see any of them). This kind of press is not likely to help the tourism industry.

Today was our first trip into New Orleans. We had to do some shopping in Hammond (9 miles west of the campground) so we approached the city from the west. It was an interesting run. Interstate 55 travels on a causeway that runs over the bayous between Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. There are waterways running alongside and crossing under the causeway. These waterways are the highways for the people that live in the bayous. We can see their homes and the fishing boats from the road. The western approach to New Orleans on Interstate 10 takes us over the western edge of Lake Pontchartrain, through Metairie and into the city. There were a few signs of damage visible from the highway, perhaps the most famous is the Superdome roof, which is still undergoing repairs. The New Orleans Convention Center, which became famous (infamous?) after the storm for the forgotten storm victims is the site of the American Library Association Annual Meeting. This is the first major convention in town since Hurricane Katrina. Most of the Convention Center is open with one small portion undergoing repairs. Adjacent to the Convention Center is Riverwalk, a major tourist attraction with shops and restaurants. Walking through Riverwalk was depressing. We have been here many times in the summer and it was always busy with large crowds. As we walked, we noticed the absence of crowds, many closed shops and that most of the restaurants are not back in operation. We continued our walk past the Aquarium of the Americas, which also lacked the usual crowds, and along North Peters and Decatur Streets. One of our memories from past visits were the lines trying to get into the Hard Rock Cafe on North Peters... there were no lines today. We did not go into the French Quarter today but a look down the relatively empty streets told the story of post Katrina New Orleans. Is New Orleans back? From what we saw, we have to conclude that it has a long way to go to be the lively city we remembered. Will it come back? Probably From what I have read, there is still a reluctance for tourists to come back to New Orleans for a variety of reasons. One of the most obvious is concern for personal security. The crime rate is climbing and a few days before our arrival, 600 National Guard troops were deployed to New Orleans to support the Police Department (we didn't see any of them). This kind of press is not likely to help the tourism industry.

				A home on the Bayou and the waterways used for transportation by the residents. There are no roads leading to these homes. Approximately half way across the causeway, there were exit/entry ramps and a parking area. We are assuming that this is where the local residents park their vehicles and then use the boats to go home.

	Some of the damage visible at the edge of the French Quarter, left, and on a high rise north of the Convention Center

	Empty Riverwalk		Riverwalk plaza was normally full of people. The riverboats, background, don't seem busy

	Aquarium of the Americas		Harrah's Casino

	Trolley, running along the river, was always crowded... not today		Jackson Brewery, a shopping mall in a converted brewery, was always a busy place. Today the stores are empty.

		New Orleans Holocaust Memorial