New Orleans

The plane trip was fine and we met a man on the shuttle bus to the airport who lives in New Orleans. Fred filled us in on Katrina, what to do in N'alins and gave us a lift to our hotel. Fred said the press really did not get the true story of what happened and that many of the problems resulted from poor local government management. Fred showed us the extensive rebuilding that has taken place, most of the damage was in the lowlands behind the city, the city itself was barely touched. Fred has invited us or a drink one afternoon-he has a 200 year old house on the river. We may just take him up on his offer, he was very interesting and kind to give us a lift.
Our hotel is the Saint Louis, it is very close to Bourbon Street. I think it has seen better years but the room is clean and comfortable. We walked the streets but it was noisy and full of drunken young people. It is Labour Day weekend in America and it seems lots of people decided to come and party in N'alins. It is just like the movies and photos though, lots of narrow streets, lights and people, at least in the French Quarter where we are staying. We had creole food for dinner and sat and watched the Mississippi flow past. We had a very good restful night and hit the trolley car today to get a sense of the city. The Garden area is full of magnificent old houses, so lovely. The all day pass enabled us to travel up and down the streets and stop off in the French Quarter Markets for lunch. We headed back for a rest before going out tonight to check out more of the nightlife. A trip to 2 plantations is on the agenda for tomorrow. My first impressions were not positive as it is a bit grotty and such a change from the well maintained Washington and Boston, even New York but now I can see and feel the charm. Glad we made the effort and I am looking forward to exploring more of this interesting city.