Rained out, doubleheader tomorrow

Due to a very rainy morning, our work today was canceled. Apparently all inside work has been done due to a very cold and rainy winter in New Orleans (damn you, global warming!) Tomorrow looks better and so there will be pictures.

Heading back to the hotel, I drove out Canal Street (one of the main business streets in New Orleans), past the French Quarter, Uptown and eventually to Metairie. That drive made me feel pretty good about New Orleans finally recovering from all this. Sure, there were some signs of destruction (an actually pretty cool looking bay window from a San Francisco-style Victorian row home, painted in pink, with basically no house attached to it). But overall, it looked like the city was coming alive. Many businesses open and others with signs proclaiming they would open soon. And then there is Metairie, a classic American suburb with many people driving SUVs. I know Mandeville, Kenner and some of the Westbank cities are the same way. Those suburbs will bring business and life back to New Orleans.

Of course, New Orleans also lives on tourism and the French Quarter. I finally made it down there last night and, while relatively empty, it was clear business was returning. Though some, I think, should stay away. (I am sorry, but a Country bar called Bourbon Cowboy in the French Quarter - well, that is just wrong.) I ate a fantastic meal (actually, I was treated to a meal by some great volunteers from Boston and San Francisco who I have worked with every day -- thanks again!) at NOLA. And though NOLA was semi-empty, the staff was really enthusiastic about the recovery of their city.

Eugene, one of the staff, grew up in the Upper Ninth Ward where our work has been done. He said it was very hard for him to go back there now, as he remembers houses that he used to visit and hang with families and friends. But now, the houses are destroyed and so many of the people he cares about are gone. Still, he is confident (a self-described go-getter -- which I believe) that he will be fine and so will the city.

And, even the Upper Ninth looks like it may come back. While there are only about 10% of the houses currently occupied, you can see that people are coming back. This is especially true of the Habitat areas, as a Habitat community is surrounded by FEMA trailers and occupied houses. I know it will be years and years before this area is fully back -- and it will take a great deal of work by locals, volunteers, the Government and others who are helping. But I see signs of hopefulness, even in one of the worst-hit areas.