Dear New Orleans,
It's been about 10 years since we first met, but it feels like I've known you all my life. I remember falling in love that first cab ride through uptown on my way to visit my best friend. Little did we know that I'd be a full time resident in less than two years. Seven years ago we had our hearts broken by Katrina - and she almost ruined the idea that was New Orleans. But we also were able to mend ourselves with the help of New Orleans (and my dear, dear Saints). Giving a good case of PTSD to all Katrina in contact with, the city overcame and the idea that is New Orleans remained - without fail, as it has for over 200 years. We have a new unwanted visitor today by the name of Isaac who seems to not know when his welcome has worn out. Despite this, my heart is still with New Orleans and I know that no storm can do anything to change that....
Love,
Ashley (Dr. Inks)
This day of the year is one of those ugly times because it reminds us of the pain we had to go through because of Katrina. Today we are dealing not only with the memory of Katrina but the presence of Isaac. Going through all of those memories from Katrina while watching what's going on now makes things particularly difficult and scary. But New Orleaneans are handling the situation as they always do - with a grain of salt...and a shot of tequila.
What made me fall in love with New Orleans even more after the storm is the way in which New Orleans came back and has since thrived in the face of skepticism, the ill or non-informed, and the outright haters. The Saints were a big part of putting New Orleans in the press for good reasons, which is something that only they could have done and we might have to call upon them again this year to do the same. All of these things I've already said countless times.
This year I've had the wonderful opportunity to introduce one of the most important people in my life to the most important city in my life. As nothing is, it wasn't perfect - but that's life. I've also had the pleasure of acting as a tour guide in absentia for a bachelorette party of ladies who had mostly never been to New Orleans. I've had the privilege of giving friends bar itineraries for their buddy's bachelor parties, too. I thought the hardest thing about that would be not going, but truthfully, it was giving directions to Gold Mine - sober (I've never done that before). Hopefully my directions of, "Go down Bourbon, have a Hurricane and a hand grenade, in that order, continue to go down Bourbon, at some point, you'll know to take a left, and it'll be on your right after what seems like a block or two". I don't know if they found it, but last I heard they all made it back. I'm not sure I would have been able to say the same for myself. Each trip I make the temptation grows stronger to skip the trip home. Were it not for a few people and felines that I could not persuade to come down - I would give in to that temptation.
On this day, seven years ago - we were faced with the idea that New Orleans would be no more. Seven years ago on August 29th, that fear put a scar on the hearts of all who bleed black and gold, and carry that heart in the shape of a Fleur-de-Lys on their sleeves. If you've never been to New Orleans, go. Its an awesome city and it's so fun. The food is delicious, the people are friendly, and the pace is blissfully relaxed. If you need suggestions - please don't hesitate to ask. But maybe find your own way to Gold Mine.
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