I realize this is a Disney board, but a lot of people see this, so I wanted to get the word out about a great city that really needs our help.
This past weekend my DH and I took our 2 kids (9 and 10) to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Last year was the first time we went, and we had such a great time we planned to go back this year. After Katrina, we felt it was even more important to show our support this year.
We left Friday afternoon from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and spent the night in Lafayette, LA. Our hotel was full of evacuees who were up all hours of the night talking, yelling, partying. I was really starting to believe that our trip was a huge mistake!
Saturday morning we drove to New Orleans across the Lake Pontchartrain causeway. We started to see some of the damage as soon as we got off the bridge. Lots of damaged buildings, destroyed signs, and lots of blue tarps on roofs. Large dumpsters filled with trash are everywhere. It was a very strange feeling to see the reality of the destruction, and it felt like we were intruding on other peoples grief and despair.
Our hotel was near downtown, and we had to drive past the Superdome. Everything was very deserted. After dropping off our luggage and car, we walked a few blocks to where the parades were supposed to come by. We arrived much too early, and were able to sit in the bleachers that were reserved seats. We knew we would have to leave when the people with tickets showed up except that no one ever did. It was very uncrowded and there were tons of police officers and National Guard. The parades finally came by, and lots of beads were thrown. Some of the riders asked the kids were they were from, and when they said Texas, they got the really nice special beads.
In the evening we went to the Caesar parade in Metairie which was extremely uncrowded. The kids got about twice as much stuff as they did last year. I dont think it was just due to the lack of crowds it seemed like the riders on the floats were throwing a lot more beads, stuffed animals, etc. On Sunday we went to 2 more parades that were also uncrowded. I dont know how much stuff we brought home, but Im sure its well over 100 pounds!
At all of the parades we spoke with some of the locals. Everyone was SOOO nice to us. So many people thanked us for being there and giving our support. They also thanked Texas. It was kind of strange, because so many spectators and float riders thanked us for coming. Were the ones who should be thanking them!
We spoke with some locals who were living in a trailer in their front yard. The thing that most struck me about everyone is how upbeat they were. After everything they had been through, they were still able to celebrate Mardi Gras as if nothing had ever happened. I was really amazed at the resilience and generosity of the people, and the real love they have for their city. I was also amazed at the sense of humor. Lots of floats had FEMA and government references, but they were mostly done in a humorous way.
Overall, we had a wonderful weekend. New Orleans is definitely a battered city, and some damage can be seen almost everywhere. Some areas, of course, are worse off than others, but we didnt go to any of the very hard hit areas. We never felt unsafe, and walked around quite a bit. It seemed to be much safer than it was last year. The people were all so very nice, and really want to see their great city come back. So if any of you have read to this point please plan a trip to New Orleans! The city desperately needs tourists and they need our support.
Thanks for reading, and sorry about the long post
This past weekend my DH and I took our 2 kids (9 and 10) to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Last year was the first time we went, and we had such a great time we planned to go back this year. After Katrina, we felt it was even more important to show our support this year.
We left Friday afternoon from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and spent the night in Lafayette, LA. Our hotel was full of evacuees who were up all hours of the night talking, yelling, partying. I was really starting to believe that our trip was a huge mistake!
Saturday morning we drove to New Orleans across the Lake Pontchartrain causeway. We started to see some of the damage as soon as we got off the bridge. Lots of damaged buildings, destroyed signs, and lots of blue tarps on roofs. Large dumpsters filled with trash are everywhere. It was a very strange feeling to see the reality of the destruction, and it felt like we were intruding on other peoples grief and despair.
Our hotel was near downtown, and we had to drive past the Superdome. Everything was very deserted. After dropping off our luggage and car, we walked a few blocks to where the parades were supposed to come by. We arrived much too early, and were able to sit in the bleachers that were reserved seats. We knew we would have to leave when the people with tickets showed up except that no one ever did. It was very uncrowded and there were tons of police officers and National Guard. The parades finally came by, and lots of beads were thrown. Some of the riders asked the kids were they were from, and when they said Texas, they got the really nice special beads.
In the evening we went to the Caesar parade in Metairie which was extremely uncrowded. The kids got about twice as much stuff as they did last year. I dont think it was just due to the lack of crowds it seemed like the riders on the floats were throwing a lot more beads, stuffed animals, etc. On Sunday we went to 2 more parades that were also uncrowded. I dont know how much stuff we brought home, but Im sure its well over 100 pounds!
At all of the parades we spoke with some of the locals. Everyone was SOOO nice to us. So many people thanked us for being there and giving our support. They also thanked Texas. It was kind of strange, because so many spectators and float riders thanked us for coming. Were the ones who should be thanking them!
We spoke with some locals who were living in a trailer in their front yard. The thing that most struck me about everyone is how upbeat they were. After everything they had been through, they were still able to celebrate Mardi Gras as if nothing had ever happened. I was really amazed at the resilience and generosity of the people, and the real love they have for their city. I was also amazed at the sense of humor. Lots of floats had FEMA and government references, but they were mostly done in a humorous way.
Overall, we had a wonderful weekend. New Orleans is definitely a battered city, and some damage can be seen almost everywhere. Some areas, of course, are worse off than others, but we didnt go to any of the very hard hit areas. We never felt unsafe, and walked around quite a bit. It seemed to be much safer than it was last year. The people were all so very nice, and really want to see their great city come back. So if any of you have read to this point please plan a trip to New Orleans! The city desperately needs tourists and they need our support.
Thanks for reading, and sorry about the long post
I am also very glad you felt safe! My MIL is hearing rumors at work about people who want to riot Mardi Gras day....I hoping that they are just that....rumors 
We were near the beginning of the parade and hung out in the mall until about 20 minutes before it started. We were in the big grassy median with not many other people.
That's a neutral ground, dawlin! 
