It was fun to return to the French Quarter with Tom and my brother, Steve. I had last visited New Orleans one year after Hurricane Katrina. At that time the devastation wrought by that storm was visible everywhere one year later. A lot has changed since then. Yet, to me, the city still looks worn and tired. The French Quarter is full of tourists and trash. There are still little boutique shops, sidewalk tables outside coffee shops and musicians playing for tips. There is still a lot of wrought iron and flower boxes on second store balconies. Enjoy photographs taken from a short walk through the French Quarter.
In front of Jackson Square.
Jackson Square. This is the Basillica of St. Louis or, sometimes referred to as St. Louis Cathedral. It is the oldest cathedral in the United States, built in 1721.
Panogram of Jackson Square
Can you see the pair of shoes hanging from a branch of the tree? Also, notice the Fleur-de-lis shaped light ornament.
Yes, the crowds are back. Traffic is a challenge and we were glad to be on foot. Bikes are plentiful as well.
Photograph taken early in the morning before the crowds arrived.
A real gas lamp!
Park your horse!
New Orleans still has a long way to go in repairing the damage done by Hurricane Katrina. But, the folks I spoke with were encouraged. "People are slowly coming home" was a familiar statement. "We can't do it without the people that left."