P.S. I LOVE YOU

LOCATION: NEW ORLEANS, La
JUNE 2008

I LOVE NEW ORLEANS, the people, my family, the food, the history, the culture, you name it I LOVE IT!!! Of all the places I've visited NEW ORLEANS is my favorite, every time I've visited the more I've contemplated moving there, the only thing that slaps me back into reality is mother nature (the weather). It's hard to believe it's been 6 years long years since my last visit. There have been some big changes in the city since I was last there, but all the things I love most haven't changed a bit. Although the times of year which I visited are different mardi gras vs a week in mid June, you can't help but notice the lack of "life" in the streets, and multiple abandoned buildings, homes, and even the most historic hospital. Talking to the residents and hearing their stories firsthand was almost as heartbreaking and surreal, as watching the events unfold 3 years ago on television. I was taken aback to see so much of the city still in ruins. In speaking with residents and family I learned that the main priority of local officials was to get the tourist areas repaired as soon as possible so the city can begin making money again (trust me when I say I did my part to help, lots of shopping =-)). And many houses a that haven't been rebuilt, is because the owners have left the state, or they are waiting for assistance from a program called 'ROAD HOME'. I was baffled to learn that 3 years have gone by and some of these people are still waiting for assistance. I was even more shocked to learn that since the storm home insurance and property taxes have increased and to make ends meet some homeowners are now charging san francisco type rents, in a economy that doesn't offer san francisco type wages.

My other reason for visiting is because, for the past year or so I've been working on my family genealogy, and putting together a special project for my family. And since that's where it seems almost everything began, that's where I went. Unfortunately I wasn't able to fulfill all the goals I set for my trip, which means another MUST be planned. But I was able to meet a new side of my family that I didn't know existed, which means I have alot more research to do. Unfortunately I didn't think to bring a recorder (since my memory is limited), so that I could record all of the stories I was told. Most of my pictures from this trip are of my family, so I'll spare you the boredom, and show you some pictures that I took around town.
I learned alot on my trip. Not just about my family, but about hope, faith, endurance, patience and love all from the city and people I love.