I "heart" New Orleans

When I tell people that I'm new to New Orleans, they cautiously ask me how I'm liking it here. I emphatically tell them that I love it. This city has captivated me!
I came here expecting a dirty, crime-ridden, scary city. Well, that's only one side to the story. Yes, New Orleans's infamous reputation for run-down buildings, heinous crimes, debauchery, and all together weirdness has some truth to it. Maybe that's just part of its charm.

New Orleans is not the South. It is its own subculture. There are so many traditions and a ton of history. All over the world, there are imitations of its architecture and cuisine... but they do not have the same New Orleans personality. People here don't have southern accents. Their accents, to an untrained ear, sound like a New Yorker's accent. They have their own set of idioms. They have their own culinary style.

Oh, did I mention the food? There are locally owned, world-class restaurants everywhere. I never want to go to another chain restaurant again. Heck, even the grocery stores stock locally produced/manufactured/packaged goods. If I don't want to make red beans and rice from scratch, the canned stuff is just as good (and probably better). Eating is a social thing--have you ever been to a crawfish boil? It's a mess and requires a lot of work for a little bit of meat, but that's not why you go. You go to eat around a table in the park or in someone's backyard with your good friends and to enjoy and admire the wonderful tastes conjured up in that massive pot. It's a great experience. There are also tons of festivals all year long dedicated to different foods. Additionally, there's a fantastic league of farmers' markets throughout the city. And, many people here look down on Starbucks because the city has a ton of locally owned coffee shops and coffee roasters! Mmmmm, I love the coffee with chicory--it's a tradition around here! It's all about being social and supporting locals!

Why else do I love New Orleans? The arts, of course! Theatre, music, and visual arts do very well here. It's a major part of the culture. Even more festivals are dedicated to the arts! Live music is everywhere, every weekend. Art galleries abound. There are many local theatre groups and dance troupes that put on shows all the time. You are never without something to do. Matt and I are super poor, but we never feel bored here!

Yes, the city has a lot of infrastructure problems that aren't helped by its consistently corrupt government. I have to drive cautiously because there are tons of pot holes on every road. People are still rebuilding from Katrina, so there are a lot of emtpy, over-grown lots and rotting buildings. The city is dirty, but it's also old. But, there aren't many (if any within the city) neighborhoods that look like they were mass-produced, cookie-cutter homes. Most homes are those charming shotgun style. Each one looks different and has its own little quirks and personality. There's a lot of growth and development, but in so many places around the city, not a whole lot has changed. I feel like I am stepping back in time, sometimes, when I'm driving down the street.

Let's talk about the people. Again, this isn't exactly the stereotypical "South" that one might expect. People here are very welcoming and social, but they will tell you how it is (even if it's some random woman who was minding her own business, but stops to yell at you because you're going the wrong way down a street). New Orleans is known as "the Big Easy," and let me tell you, that is an accurate description of the attitude. People like to take things easy around here. You don't work too fast or walk too fast. I see people chilling out in the medians (some are historically called "neutral ground") under the trees all the time.

There is sooooo much history. Everything is affected by history and its traditions--you can feel it when you see the houses lining the street, or walk in the French Quarter and see the cathedral. I love it!

So basically, New Orleans is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the United States. It might look like a mess because of the media, or because it kinda is.... But, I think it's charming and has so much personality. Right now, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. "Come see," as they say here--maybe you will see the same thing I see.