Originally Posted by tazi
I usually don't quote a whole post but I felt the need since I so disagree with about everything you have written. I was in NOLA for Satchmo Fest last month and felt the town to be very much like it was before. People are not dazed and confused! Cell phone access was the same as it was before (at least on my Sprint network) and garbage smells were no worse than I remember from other visits (Bourbon Street can be stinky). The most notable differences in the FQ were a couple places that changed names, some not open, and my favorite breakfast restaurant, Mother's, was not open on Sundays.
Yes, there is still work to be done but my weekend there showed me that the spirit of the city is still alive and kickin'.
You'e both right. Just depends who you talk to and where you go. Business owners and those that have stuck around are inspirational to talk to. Go into the suburbs, and you'll hear a mixed bag of reactions. The parking attendants at the Sheraton on Canal were exstatic - people were tipping much better than before - as we all should. Chatted with a few construction workers who talked with me about how terrible things were, and they were making twice what they had before. Everybody wants to see things get better, so go and help out!