New Orleans

[llp1958]

We were scheduled to sail out of New Orleans on the Conquest late October. We had arranged to spend the day before and the day after in New Orleans. This was not because of convenience but the desire to see the Big Easy, to experience New Orleans.

To watch the news and see the people of New Orleans suffering........ the city's devestation seems surreal. I watched Celine Dion on Larry King last night. She was so upset....and expressed anger, tears, disbelief that all America is feeling.

I mourn the loss of life, and wonder how? why? just like everyone else.

While my "vacation" cruise got moved to Galveston. I can't help but feel sad that I will never see the New Orleans that was there just over a week ago. The people, the food, the music, the buildings..... ia part of America's history, culture..... devestated. I expect in a few years New Orleans will rebound.But it is sad to see how fragile life can be. To seehow vulnerable our citizens are. I mourn the people who have died, and pray for those who are suffering...... and I mourn the lost of the Big Easy.

 

[lizardstew]

I agree with you....I've never been to New Orleans either. I can't imagine what the people in the gulf coast are going through right now....I try to put myself in thier places....but it's just impossible. How can you fathom your entire city being gone??? It just makes my heart hurt.

My grandmother was from New Orleans, and my mother was born there, and I wish I had gotten to see it before. Hopefully, it will be restored to its former Glory....if so, I'll be there as soon as they are "up and running," giving my tourist dollars to a city that will desperately need them. If not, I will always regret not visiting when I had the chance.

 

[serene56]

Never put off for tomorrow for the stuff tht can be done today. Live and learn.

It took my husband dying at the age of 43 to learn that tomorrow may never come and I did get to see NOLA a few years back and am glad for that chance.

I doubt verymuch that the big easy will ever be the same.

 

[lizardstew]

Well, it wasn't really an issue of "putting it off for tomorrow" or "live and learn." I've had two separate trips planned to NOLA with my mother. Both times, they were cancelled at the last minute.

The first time was planned for September 1999 and, ironically, Hurricane Georges was coming through the night before we were supposed to get on the plane. The whole city was evacuating. Trip #1 cancelled.

The second time was planned for November 2001, right after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. I was working as a flight attendant for an airline at the time and lost my job about 5 weeks after 9/11. So, suddenly I had no flight benefits and no money to go on vacation. Trip #2 cancelled.

So, you see....we just hadn't gotten around to planning Trip #3 yet. I used to joke that if Trip #3 got cancelled at the last minute, I was destined not to go to New Orleans. Maybe I was not meant to see the Big Easy in all of her glory....but I still regret never getting there.

 

[bamboozie_99]

I am scheduled to leave out of Galveston on the Conquest October 23. We are flying in to Galveston the day before so any ideas on shopping, dining, or what to do while in Galveston? Is there anyone else going on this cruise also?



Jamie

 

[BlueChef]

I live and work in the Quarter. I'm sorry for you and for anyone who hasn't experienced our lovely city. No, it may not ever be quite the same, but it's still home to so many of us. I evacuated early, a few days before Katrina hit. When I was able to get back home, I was surprised to see that the Quarter itself is not in bad shape at all. Nothing we haven't experienced before. The REST of the city is awful, and I find myself crying every day, several times a day, as I watch TV and see the other areas. So many thousands don't have a home to come back to. I've very lucky. The Quarter will be bouncing back - already is - and good times WILL roll again. Give us a little time. Then please come and enjoy our wonderful culture, food, and fantastically strong people!

 

[lizardstew]

You bet we will, Blue Chef! I'd like to get there as soon as the hotels open back up. I sooo regret not having seen NO yet, and want to go as soon as I can.

I have family still living in LA...my uncle can't go back to his home in Roberts, LA and has been going back and forth between other relatives homes in other parts of the state, staying at the home without electricity during the day and going to the one with electricity at night. So sad.

I want to send him whatever he might need, but contact with him has been very sporadic, and he always calls one of my aunts who just refuses to find out where he can actually receive packages. He, apparently, has no money at all. I asked her to get the address of the person who does have electricity, assuming that the post office near her home would be operational...but....for some reason she hasn't done that!!!! She and one of my other aunts sent cash through the mail to his home address...of course, he didn't get it. I wish he would call my mom instead so we can get some information from him!!!! It's very frustrating to want to help him but to not know how. I even offered to send him a plane ticket but, as you can imagine, he refuses to go far. So, I just give money to the Red Cross every time I get paid and know that it helps someone.

 

[Suzieb]

Back in 2002 we had a chance to visit NOLA. We had a ships reunion there and boy what a town! I have never seen a place that was so friendly and the food, wow! It changed our eating habits with spices! Oh and the music, it did not get any better. We were in heaven!
It is sad to see what happened, but me and DW have made a deal, we will revisit after NOLA rebuilds. Not to compare what was, but to what is and what will be. We can't wait, hopefully '07. We need a good music injection!

Take Care