I live in one of the greatest cities in the world. I know, many people say that, but my city,
New Orleans is known by its first name.
(It’s kinda like the Cher or Madonna of cities). We never have to say “New Orleans, Louisiana,
USA. Most people don’t even know or care
what state we are in and as we say here, we are a place all unto it’s
self. ( OK a banana republic, but you have to admit the food is great!)
New Orleans is a complex and simple city at the same
time. We are complex because of our
history that lives on every street corner and in every citizen. To be called a Native New Orleanian, one must
be born here. Many people say I have
lived her only 45 years. New Orleans is simple because it doesn't pretend to be
something that it’s not. It’s in your
face from the moment you arrive.
New Orleans and its citizens are steeped in a multicultural,
multi-generational experience that pulls from our past and into our lives
today. We are who we are, because being who we are not seems a waste of
time. We speak our minds because we have
an opinion on everything and feel we need to share it. (Whether you want to
hear it or not!) I have often said, I love
sitting around a family dinner table, oh the stories, the food, and oh can I say
LOUD!
New Orleans attacks your senses upon arrival, no subtleties here. The smells, the sounds, the sights and the soulfulness
of this city can either intoxicate you or scare the living hell out of you. The
city is draped with the bends and curves of the Mississippi River that shares
with us all of the Midwest’s discards.
From the toxic soup run off from farms, petrochemical plants and debris
that rush past us, we take what other share with us willingly. (Yes I drink the water, it hasn't killed me yet!)
Much has been written and said about the underbelly that exists
here in New Orleans, which Katrina put on display for the world to see. Yes we are a urban city with abject poverty,
but it from that poverty that our greatness arises. Our soulfulness, many would not consider this
city soulful; in fact many have said we are damned, exists for all to see. Our cemeteries are cities, our churches are
cathedrals and our beliefs are steeped in mysticism. And this city constantly challenges all of
your beliefs. Think you like warm
weather, spend a summer here. Think you
are a football fan, welcome to heartache.
The energy of the city pushes you past your comfort zone, ever
challenging you to change. She forces
you to question your beliefs, to open your heart to the darker side of life – engaging
that as willingly as you would sunshine.
For we are a city of the dark, not the oh look it’s the moon dark, but
an in your face “hey it's fucking dark, now move!”
We are a city where ghosts, sinners and saints live. We are a city that loves life and the people
in it. We celebrate our today's because
we know that tomorrow may never come. We
are the city that holds for you the stabilizing thought, that you can leave New
Orleans for 15 years and come back and everything is exactly as you left it. “Laissez les bons temps
rouler” ya’ll!
