19 September 2006

Year After Katrina

Surprisingly lots has been done after Hurricane Katrina. Many streets are clean of the mountains of trash and thrown out furiture but arenow full of FEMA trailers. We drove by my grandma's house...a sad moment. Most areas were Mom's "stompin' grounds" (this is to be expected after 40+years there) and brought her lots of memories. We went to Lakeview and were devastated by the damaged lakefront homes. A few spots were inhabited again but most were empty. One homeowner showed his sense of humor among the devastation. Typical N'awlins! Then we drove around University City, MY old stomping grounds! FEMA trailers everywhere. There really wasn't a house without one out front. And in New Orleans, down St Charles Ave and around City Park...my oh my. So many deserted houses where the water marks are clearly visible. Don't get me wrong though, many New Orleans folk are back. It'll be many years before NO gets back to a semi norm. Many families that were relocated don't have the finances nor the energy to go back. Only time will tell what's in store for good ole N'awlins.

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