Eight years ago today the world watched New Orleans drown and thus began the “should it be rebuilt” refrain. Fortunately the people of New Orleans don’t much care what others think so they doggedly set about putting their city back together, one house, one restaurant, one bar at a time. Those who call New Orleans home and those of us who wish we did know why. Simply put, there’s no place like it on earth.
In the video below, Kermit Ruffins asks the question, “What is New Orleans?” and the crowd joins in.
I asked the same question on Facebook and the answers are still coming in. Here are some of mine:
New Orleans is:
- red beans and rice on Monday
- dressing like a pirate on a Tuesday. Just because.
- biscuits and gravy with friends at 3 a.m. at the Clover Grill
- sitting on porch steps chatting with friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon
- sharing a muffuletta by the river
- making new friends at the Apple Barrel while waiting for a table at Adolfo’s
- one last drink for the night at Chuck’s
- a crawfish boil
- ice cold oysters on saltines
- a parade for every occasion…and none at all
- men in red dresses
- the Saints and their fans – Who dat!
- fried chicken at Willie Mae’s
- martinis with lunch at Antoine’s
- sharing an unforgetable musical experience with friends
And oh, so much more.
My friend, Roz, wrote that New Orleans is “home…for my soul” which sums it up perfectly. As I have often said, I may reside in Oklahoma but my soul lives in New Orleans.
You can read my previous Katrina anniversary posts, as well as other writings about New Orleans here.
I love that list! Makes me want to go there!
You should! It's such a great city with so much to experience.