Monday the 13th: I%26#39;d been having the continental breakfast at the hotel since I%26#39;ve been in NO, so finally made it someplace for a good old greasy meal. Went to Clover Grill. Was sharp seeing it live as I%26#39;d seen in Brad Pitt%26#39;s Benjamin Button movie. Place was just what I thought it would be: another neighborhood, hole in the wall type place. I loved it!!!
Since I was being picked up around 12:30 for my city/Katrina tour, decided to just walk around the French Quarter to take pictures and sightsee. That%26#39;s what I don%26#39;t like about doing tours in the afternoons, you don%26#39;t dare do too much or go do something else in the morning if you%26#39;re not sure how far or how long it%26#39;s going to take. Walked around Royal and Chartres St, took lots of pix of the different buildings and architecture.
Lunch was at Yo-Mamma%26#39;s, another great place!! I know they are known for their great burgers, but wasn%26#39;t in the mood for more red meat, so had a bbq chicken burger instead (real chicken, not a deep fried patty) with a side salad. It was actually quite good, I really enjoyed it.
Tours by Isabelle picked me up right on time. Had a lady tour guide who used to live in the lower 9th ward (and no, I don%26#39;t remember her name). The vans were a bit smaller than I thought they would be, and we had 13 people so it was packed, too packed really. I was lucky at least I got to sit next to the window, so was able to take pixs through it (they seem to have come out fine). Tour lasted about 3hrs, with a 20min break. It%26#39;s almost 4 years later, and most places are still practically empty lots, no stores, no schools, no nothing. About an hour into the tour, I started feeling really bad about sight seeing people%26#39;s devastations and taking pictures. I got teary eyed a couple of times. To see those houses with the x%26#39;s on it on tv is one thing, but to see it in real life is sooo different.
You%26#39;d see house after house after house that are gutted %26amp; abandonned, then all of a sudden, a pretty house all fixed up with flowers in the yard. It must be so sad in a way for those people living there. When they look out of the window, they only have bad memories to look at. Let%26#39;s face it, people got screwed!!
Anywho, the lower 9th was the last part of the tour. We saw were Brad Pitt%26#39;s foundation is rebuilding, the house that Mike Holmes did (fellow Canuks will know who I mean. He%26#39;s a guy on tv who fixes/rebuilds houses for people who got taken), and also Musician%26#39;s Row. It ended the tour on a bit of a higher note, that some people are able to go back if they want to (but such a small#).
Even though I did feel guilty a bit, I really enjoyed the tour. The lady was very informative and you can tell she really cares about the subject.
It was such a nice afternoon, I decided to take the Algiers ferry over to have supper at the Dry Dock Cafe. Now, I know you all mean well, but for those people who suggest to tourist to take the Algiers ferry instead of doing the Natchez tour, they%26#39;d be getting the ';same idea'; just a shorter version of it, don%26#39;t. It%26#39;s like comparing apples and steak. They are both foods, but that%26#39;s it. Both things happen on the water, but the Algiers ferry only takes a couple of minutes, and unless you go down where the cars park %26amp; then it%26#39;s really loud, you can%26#39;t really see anything.
I had a cajun poboy with sweet potato fries. It%26#39;s basically a spicy roast beef poboy which was alright, but my fries were on the cold side, so meal was only so so. Another great neighborhood place to go for a drink though. And they did bring out warm appetizers. Not to many places do that anymore. Stayed for about an hour and then took the ferry back.
Was pretty tired from the day, so decided to spend the evening on my balcony. Was a very pleasant evening, having a beverage listening to the music from Jackson Square, hearing the horses and mules go by down on St Ann street, sooooo relaxing. And the hotel is part of the evening haunted tours they give, so I got to listen to the various stories they tell a few times during the week. The Place%26#39;s ghost is a fisty little fellaw. As per the stories I heard, he sometimes approaches people in the courtyard, sometimes in the elevator, sometimes in the hallway. I was not fortunate enough to get the pleasure. :-)
Trip Report: part 4
I%26#39;m glad that you got a Katrina tour. I was hesitant at first too, but I think everyone who visits NO should venture out and see for themselves. We had a rental car so did a self tour of the 9th Ward, but on the cab ride back to the airport, our cabbie asked what time our flight was. When we told him he says ';Well, you%26#39;ve got time, you want a little tour, no charge?';. He took us around Lakeside and the 17th St. Canal, and described in detail what used to be there and what was being resurrected. Told us of stories how he rescued people with his boat, and showed us the on ramp of I-10 where he dropped them off on higher ground, only to return and bring back more.
I admire the pride of NO residents, and the love and determination they have for their city. They care for her deeply and are happy to tell you of their city.
It is heartbreaking to see what remains 3-1/2 years later, yet survival is paramount. Everyone should witness it for themselves. I glad that you did.
Trip Report: part 4
I was in New Orleans just six weeks after Katrina and have been back several times since. I literally felt sick to my stomach seeing New Orleans in October of 2005. Now, even though the Ninth Ward is still pretty deserted, at least you can seem signs of hope, like Brad%26#39;s houses, the Musician%26#39;s Village, etc.
I%26#39;m glad you liked Clover Grill, it is one of my favorite places to eat and I loved seeing it in Benjamin Button!
The Clover Grill, hamburgers cooked under a hubcap (for that true hubcap flavor), and a SHOW! Also a good stop at around 3:00 AM.
Clover Grill-burger with mushrooms, onions, and chile and don%26#39;t breathe at anyone for three hours..so good. The only food I%26#39;ve had from the dry dock was at a special event for Blaine Kern and they had the shrimp bisque and crawfish monica and both were quite good. And although I don%26#39;t think the river cruise is much it sure beats the cargo boat feel of the ferry crossing but each has its elements.
In my over 20 stays there I%26#39;ve never been spooked by the ghost either.
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