Spring Break New Orleans: Patriotism Never Tasted So Good (UPDATED)
[Ed.: This was written over break; we're just posting it now.]
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 20 — Come here. New Orleans, where half of us has been on vacation for five days, is a fantastic town, and it’s hurting. We haven’t had an unspectacular bite of food since our low, low JetBlue fare arrived; hotels are practically giving away rooms, and the locals couldn’t be happier to see tourists. There’s no lines, all the bars and museums are open, and one thing Hurricane Katrina didn’t wash away is the city’s open policy on open containers.
It’s January, so you should be planning your spring break soon. Make it a New Orleans year, and whether you’re doing the responsible tourist thing (walking tours of the Garden District; jazz at Preservation Hall) or the indulgent (bingeing on Abita and po’ boys; attempting to talk to Cajuns), the result is still the same. You’re pumping travel dollars back into the local economy, so as you puke hurricanes and muffulettas into a Bourbon Street gutter, know that you’re engaging in what Tim Zagat calls “patriotic tourism.”
(Photos by bobsummers.com, our nature photographer and author dad, after the jump.)
*UPDATE 6:10 p.m.: Just a note of apology to people who thought this post was a joke. It’s not. We want people to visit the place, but we see the tone got a little muddled because of the photos (now after the jump). Thanks, and sorry for the confusion.
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January 13th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
ADT: Attention Deficit Transportation.
January 13th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
not funny
January 14th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
love to take you boys up on the invite, but that murder rate spike doesn’t have many there sleeping easily…
January 15th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
New Orleans is recovering. The City needs more Police, but the tourist areas are safe; the French Quarter looks great. Merchants need sales and if we are committed to truly helping our brothers and sisters all we have to do is go to the Big Easy and share our wealth with its citizens. It is a win-win situation. Call it altruistic debauchery. Remember to try and buy local, talk to the people, find out what the New Orleanians motivations are. Finally, remember how to have a bon ton.
January 15th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Is this supposed to be a joke? I’m guessing from the photos yes. If so, then it’s a pathetic one, to say the least. Like B says, not funny.
January 15th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
wow, i didnt mean to start this string of comments. when i said “not funny,” I was actually referring to jumbo’s immature joke. I actually think the IvyGate article is pretty funny but if you guys are offended, then all the power to you.
January 16th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Good for you guys for posting this. I saw it after you had moved the pictures, so I didn’t think it read like a joke after all. Of course, I’m from New Orleans, so the city’s recovery is dead serious to me. It should be stated that the pictures you took of damaged homes are in the worst hit areas far away from places most tourists visit when they come to the city. I wish you would have posted more pictures like the one of the Garden District house.
With the exception of a few inconveniences and hiccups in service due to a smaller workforce, life in the French Quarter, Garden District, and Uptown is more or less back to pre-Katrina normalcy. Most tourists never leave these areas, nor do they really have reason to.
The murder rate is lamentable, but it’s important to note that most of these murders are related to drugs and turf wars that existed before Katrina, so stay away from that kind of activity and you’ll be fine. A white couple was shot, one killed, in their home on the edge of Faubourg Marigny (a pretty dicey area) and only then did murder in New Orleans get national attention. But you’ll probably never go to where this couple lived.
January 16th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Thanks for posting this. New Orleans needs tourism to survive. Almost all the tourist areas– all the places where visitors always went– are still fine; the city is still beautiful; the food is still wonderful. But there are no visitors! Go, and keep New Orleans alive.
January 17th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Saints in the Superbowl!!!
January 28th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
How about lending a hand while you take your “Spring Break”? http://www.habitat-nola.org/ Individuals or Groups. Check it out, lend a hand, help and make New Orleans matter once again.
October 10th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I have been to New Orleans twice since the Hurricane-as a tourist, and had a great time. The French Quarter is in great shape, and is definitely booming. I encourage tourists to come and spend their money in New Orleans, and I guarantee you will have a great time. There is so much to do, and there is something for everyone-enjoy the food, the drinks and partying on Bourbon, and the many exciting and informative tours offered-I especially liked the ghost tours-lots of fun!! Again, please, come and spend your money in New Orleans and have an amazing time in a beautiful city!
October 10th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I have been to New Orleans twice since the Hurricane-as a tourist, and had a great time. The French Quarter is in great shape, and is definitely booming. I encourage tourists to come and spend their money in New Orleans, and I guarantee you will have a great time. There is so much to do, and there is something for everyone-enjoy the food, the drinks and partying on Bourbon, and the many exciting and informative tours offered-I especially liked the ghost tours-lots of fun!! Again, please, come and spend your money in New Orleans and have an amazing time in a beautiful city!