Round 1, Final Thoughts

Friday's New York Times had an article (registration required) on flight of young, middle-class professionals away from New Orleans -- suggesting this was the newest threat to the survival of the city. A key point was that employers were also leaving the city and that would increase the "brain drain". In fact, New Orleans had been undergoing this exodus for years before Katrina -- it has just accelerated since the storm.

But on Saturday, several letter-to-the-editor appeared, arguing the point that while some people were leaving, more were coming in or combing back. Many were people who wanted to help rebuild the city. I think the great people I worked with at Habitat are just those type of people. And I bet some of them stay in New Orleans and make it their home.

With a few days back now to reflect on what I saw in New Orleans, I think the city will come back very strong. The culture remains strong as ever. Great food, great jazz, the seedy fun of Bourbon Street, the East Village feel of Frenchmen's Street, the antebellum grandeur of the homes on St. Charles Street, the racially agnostic crowds to see the Soul Rebels Brass Band at Le Bon Temps on Magazine -- it is all uniquely New Orleans and so worth the experience. I can't see this changing any time soon and with each passing day, I think the city will revive.

It will be hard and there will be setbacks -- but the renaissance will be worth enjoying. And I am going back to help this year (in the Spring) and in the future.