Going to NOLA - mixed feelings

[AliBaba]

Not sure if this should go here, or SLC or something. Sure wish there was a forum called "there are stupid questions."

So, I'm going to Texas next month to visit my parents, and these two are about as well-traveled as any people you'd hope to meet - I'm talking black belt in tourism.

Anyway, from there, we're going down to New Orleans to stay overnight.
While I have a soft spot for New Orleans (don't all Americans?) and sure do want to give them any kind of support I can, I'm also a bit trepidant.

Number one, reading all the threads here about what a hot mess New Orleans still is, makes me wonder if there will be a line a mile long to get into any place that’s actually open for business.

Number two, do they really want tourists, like the website and the ads say? It does seem that spending tourist bucks wouldn’t be the worst way to show support. But is it just stupid of me to feel a little guilt at the prospect of playing Big Fat American Tourist when there are still people with no roofs over their heads?

Are there any snopesters in or from New Orleans that can shed some light? Or recommend something we just have to see or do while there?

Ali "not so Easy" Baba

[ElectricBarbarella]

If you do go, can I live vicariously through you? I am still upset that **while I was planning** my anniversary right before katrina hit and we were supposed to be there the week before it hit.

I am now very sad that I did not get to see NOLA in all its splendor.

toni

[hambubba]

Go and don't worry. Enjoy! From what I know, the lines ain't as long as they used to be. (lines? hmmm... I don't remember any lines...)

What are you interested in seeing? A walk around the French Quarter is good during the day. The Aquarium of the Americas is close by. I recommend parking in one of the lots by the river, near the aquarium. You can walk just about anywhere you want to go from there.

Check out the cemeteries. I still haven't done that.

Other than that, meh. I don't know. Upriver, you could go to a plantation or two.

Or meet me and the mrs. for coffee. Or lunch. Or something. Other than seeing me, the whole trip would be boring and a waste of time and money.

[A Turtle Named Mack]

As I understand it, it was only the areas built in drained swamps after WWII that were flooded. The older sections were generally built on lands above river level. So basically the French Quarter (which is afaik the only part of the city itself really worth being a tourist in) is intact, and needs customers. Go ahead, enjoy the music, order up a hurricane or two, help put some dollars in circulation in the local economy.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

The lines weren't bad at all when I went, and though there is still quite a lot of devastation, they really did want tourist money. Of course, I was there with a bunch of people dressed as pirates, and everyone loved us, sooo...

Head through the French Quarter, which was a ton of fun, and stop in at the Coffee Pot Restaurant for bread pudding and fried catfish. (Mmmm.... Bread pudding...)

[pacefemmina]

You probably have a visual in mind of refugees and people wading through water. When I went in February, everything I saw was mostly back to normal. I went a few weeks after Kitrina, and that was definitely different. But all the businesses that survived seem to have the same hours as Pre-Kitrina.

[DemonWolf]

Originally Posted by AliBaba

Number two, do they really want tourists, like the website and the ads say?

those who make their living through tourism sure do. And the city, who make tax revenue from tourists, sure does. By vacationing there you are assisting in the economic recovery. Without tourist income many businesses would perish. Hotels don't make much money from the locals, but they do employ many local people. The same with many museums and historical sites.
Let's be honest, there's only so many times you can take the tour before you don't need to hire the tour bus.

But is it just stupid of me to feel a little guilt at the prospect of playing Big Fat American Tourist when there are still people with no roofs over their heads?

It is not stupid to think of others or to feel sympathy or compassion for those who are less fortunate than yourself. Any your playing "Big Fat American Tourist" will help to put roofs over those heads either through employment opportunities or tax money.

Take your vacation and be proub that every penny that you spend will help to restore the economy.

[rangerdog]

You definitely need to get some bignets and some good chicory coffee while you are there.

You should eat at Che Paul's.

And, Mon Cher, you must have a Po' Boy on Bourbon Street at The Court of Two Sisters.

[Elkhound]

Originally Posted by rangerdog

You definitely need to get some bignets and some good chicory coffee while you are there.

You should eat at Che Paul's.

And, Mon Cher, you must have a Po' Boy on Bourbon Street at The Court of Two Sisters.

Is The Pearl still there? And Mothers? Those are the only two places I remember from my (brief) stay.

[Syllavus]

Also eat at Mulat's on Decatur street if it's still there, they make a tasty crawfish gumbo. Beignets and iced coffee with chickory at the Cafe du Monde (also on Decatur Street) is also a must in the French Quarter. Actually I think that Decatur is my favorite street in New Orleans.

[ThistleS]

I'm so glad someone else posted this thread. I want to take a vacation in New Orleans with my boyfriend this winter, but I was nervous about it. Now I feel more at leave to plan and dream.

[Wicked Tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by Aimee Evilpixie

... Of course, I was there with a bunch of people dressed as pirates, and everyone loved us, sooo...

So you know my family? I had no idea that they were in NO.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

Originally Posted by ThistleS

I'm so glad someone else posted this thread. I want to take a vacation in New Orleans with my boyfriend this winter, but I was nervous about it. Now I feel more at leave to plan and dream.

You silly, you should have PMed me. I can advise you to dress like pirates and everyone will think you're awesome.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

Originally Posted by Wicked Tinkerbell

So you know my family? I had no idea that they were in NO.

I was there for the first ever Pyrate-Con. It was all sorts of fun. People in New Orleans seem to really like pirates, especially drag queens.

Here's the link to the full photo gallery, for anyone who's interested.

[Trixie Tang]

Go. You'll be fine. Things are as back to normal as they're going to be in your lifetime, so go and enjoy it. PM me if you need directions or help while you're here.

Originally Posted by rangerdog

And, Mon Cher, you must have a Po' Boy on Bourbon Street at The Court of Two Sisters.

Don't do that, please. Stop. Just... stop.

[ThistleS]

Originally Posted by Aimee Evilpixie

You silly, you should have PMed me. I can advise you to dress like pirates and everyone will think you're awesome.

Hahah, I really should have PMed you. The likelihood of my getting the old man to dress like a pirate approaches zero, unfortunately.

[hambubba]

Originally Posted by ThistleS

I'm so glad someone else posted this thread. I want to take a vacation in New Orleans with my boyfriend this winter,

Heh heh. I forgot to mention, the only thing Ali won't like is the humidity.

Originally Posted by Trixie Tang

Don't do that, please. Stop. Just... stop.

OK, I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything, but yeah... stop that.

Geez, they don't even talk like that here!

[ThistleS]

Originally Posted by hambubba

Heh heh. I forgot to mention, the only thing Ali won't like is the humidity.

Who is Ali?

ETA: Sorry, obviously Ali would be AliBaba. But what does this have to do with me?

[Aimee Evilpixie]

Originally Posted by ThistleS

Who is Ali?

ETA: Sorry, obviously Ali would be AliBaba. But what does this have to do with me?

I think you're going in the winter, and she's going in the summer?

[ThistleS]

Originally Posted by Aimee Evilpixie

I think you're going in the winter, and she's going in the summer?

Oh. I hope it's slightly less muggy in winter!