After being battered by hurricanes, scandals in high places, terrorist concerns, and gasoline prices going through the roof, are the tourists still coming to the Mecca of music, the carnival capers of Mardi Gras, the picturesque Vieux Carré? The answer appears to be, “yes.” We spent most of our time in the French Quarter and on the Bayou Segnette across the river. Whatever water and wind damage those areas suffered has been successfully repaired.
Jazz is still hot, Mardi Gras souvenirs are found in abundance in the markets, and the popular objects of us gaping tourists, the intricate ironwork balconies, are everywhere. And of course, the Mississippi River “just keeps rolling along.” It’s hard to compare the before and after, because we were last here in 1968.
New Orleans Skyline from Across the Mississippi River
(note St Louis Cathedral and French Quarter
at right edge of picture)
(note St Louis Cathedral and French Quarter
at right edge of picture)
The Cathedral of St. Louis
is built on the spot where the first Catholic church
in Louisiana was built in 1718.
is built on the spot where the first Catholic church
in Louisiana was built in 1718.