Blogging Live from New Orleans
Posted at 9:51 pm on Monday, September 15, 2008, in Travels, and tagged live from, new orleans.
At first I thought New Orleans, or New New Orleans, whatever, was a lot like Saint Louis, but I was greatly mistaken. I foolishly made my way to the waterfront, and just like Saint Louis, there really is none, except for a walkway (which was nice, although nothing special), but what more could you ask for. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the waterfront of these riverfront towns are not too developed and mostly industrial (because they would flood constantly).
When I finally made my way into and through the French Quarter, I finally realized what all the hubbub was about. The city oozes charm. It is Montmartre meets St. Pete’s. Later, I had an opportunity to walk down Bourbon Street — on a Monday evening, days after a hurricane — and it was completely insane. (There were beads; not many, but I didn’t expect that.)
If anyone wants to see capitalism and competition for themselves — how it really works in the real world — Bourbon Street is a great example. Not only are bars and jazz clubs competing against one another, with salespeople in the street luring in customers, but the strip clubs also have to face-off against the ice cream parlors. It is a tough business situation all around, but I didn’t see too much complaining.
On my flight into New Orleans (more on that later), I happened to sit one row behind and across from a scout for the New Orleans Saints. He was returning from Seattle where he was scouting the 49ers. At first, I simply thought he was one of those deranged fantasy sports people, but then I noticed the Saints stationary, and the attention to detail of formations and personnel. He was scouting the 49ers defense. Overall, he has a pretty easy job.
I am here for the week. Tomorrow I will be on the Katrina levees.
Blog later.
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