The Big Easy . . .

What an oxymoron - because it looks hard to me.

I got to New Orleans today, and I'll have lots to write about here, it seems - I bet I could fill two pages just from the afternoon. My head is swimming with all the learning that comes with a new town. Here's the short version: Tomorrow, I'll be looking for a room to rent, storage for my things, a job, volunteering, and joining the party after the big game. For the record, I'm rooting for Ohio State, but won't mind tooo much if LSU wins, because that will be a better party. Tonight, I'm resting up at Fontainebleau State Park, across Lake Ponchartrain from the city.

Man, this town is crazy. The French Quarter is party/tourist central, complete with street performers, open containers, party buses, etc. But just blocks away, everything is falling apart, and practically screaming at me to watch my back and my step. I can't recall seeing anything equivalent before in this country. Around dusk, I had one older woman kindly greet me on the street, followed by "be careful".

Virtually everything west of Biloxi, MS is new, under construction, damaged, destroyed, or vacant. It looks like everything was touched by that hurricane. Piles of rubble are not uncommon outside the city center. Even within 1/2 mile of the French Quarter, I saw houses still tarped and marked w/ the red "X"s from the search and rescue aftermath. I'll write more about the destruction and this dichotomy later on, and add pictures.

Anyway, it's a lot to take in for this country mouse - I expect it will take a little while to find my feet here. Let the learning begin!