Putting Things Back Into Perspective March 9, 2006
I remember the feelings I had when Hurricane Katrina hit over six months ago and then again when Rita hit. Katrina hit New Orleans and the surrounding areas between the time that I found out on ultrasound that things were over with my pregnancy and the time that I physically miscarried. It was such a difficult time, but the aftermath of the storm gave me perspective. It all just hit so close to home. Rita hit even closer to home since it affected my family directly.
I got the same overwhelming feeling driving into New Orleans on Monday that I did the first time we drove into post Rita Lake Charles. The feeling of loss was just palpable. It’s so hard to see that damage firsthand.
New Orleans is definitely different now. I mean, how could it not be? A lot of things struck me about how things look now, but a major one was the lack of people. It’s not like the city is empty, but I’m so used to the crowds of New Orleans that it just felt weird there this week. It was eery.
It’s sad to see how many places are still closed. Those local business make their livings off of tourists, and it’s sad that that’s not happening right now.
Last night we walked down into the French Quarter and walked by Jackson Square and the Cathedral to get to the restaurant we were going to eat at. It just felt empty. Usually there are a bunch of artists in that area and many street performers ranging from musicians to mimes. There was not a single one there yesterday evening. Not one.
I did try to have a good time while I was there, though. I ate a lot of yummy food. You have to do that in New Orleans, ya know. Unfortunately I got sick from some Mahi Mahi on Monday night and wished I was dead, but I made up for it the rest of the trip. I skipped lunch on Tuesday in an attempt to recover from the night before and played it safe with some chicken for dinner but feasted on some fabulous chocolate hazelnut mousse for dessert. Yesterday was a magnificent food day consisting of a fried oyster poboy for lunch and gumbo for dinner followed by the heavenly beignets from Cafe Du Monde for dessert. I had been drooling over the thought of those beignets since I found out we were going to NO, and they didn’t disappoint. Those are always a highlight of any New Orleans trip.
After dinner last night we stumbled upon the shooting of Deja Vu. We already knew that Denzel Washington was staying in our hotel (although we didn’t ever get to see him) because he was making a movie in town, and we found it. We didn’t get to see much movie action, because they were restricting the area some, but we did get to watch a helicopter that they were obviously filming sweep down and around the Cathedral over and over again.
Also, on Tuesday I managed to come back into the hotel at the same time as the entire Hornets professional basketball team. I’ve always felt short with my 5′3″ frame, but stepping into an elevator filled with pro b-ball players made me feel teeny tiny.
I managed to do a little shopping, although a lot of stores still hadn’t reopened, and I walked down and spent an entire afternoon at the D-Day museum. It was great.
You know, I didn’t use this trip as a way to escape infertility for a few days. I still read blogs and posted on my boards. I even brought one of my adoption books along. I didn’t need to escape that.
I did need to put in all in perspective, though. There were people, including one of the judge’s former clerks who we ran into in the lobby, who are living at the hotel we stayed in, and I’m sure in hotels around the city. That’s their home now because they lost absolutely everything in the hurricane. Can you imagine that? And think about all of the people who aren’t fortunate enough to be able to afford to live in a hotel, people who cannot afford to return to their hometown. It’s all very sad.
We didn’t venture into the hardest hit areas of the city, but I saw enough to really leave an impact on me. It all served as a reminder to appreciate what I have and not to constantly focus on what I don’t.
- Posted in : Post cycle #6: Waiting for the final cycle, various other ramblings
- Author : amanda
Comments»
I think it’s great that you were able to get away for a bit…even if you did come close to doom with mahi mahi. I have never been to new Orleans, so I can only imagine what it’s like now…it’s sad when life is drained from such a vibrant city…reminds me of NYC weeks after 9/11…you only walked those streets unless you absolutely HAD to. I imagine New Orleans will slowly come back to life as time goes on. Cimagine Mardi Gras anywhere else.
yeah, a little slap of perspective know and then is a good thing. thanks for sharing. your point is well taken.
That last point really touches me right now, A. Thanks.
Whether it’s infertility or financial loss or whatever other crap life shoots our way, I need to be reminded of that a lot more often than I am.
Glad you enjoyed your trip, even though it was bittersweet. I totally understand how you feel about focusing on what you have instead of what you don’t. Perspective can be a good thing.
we can all use a little perspective now and the. I can’t imagine what the people of that city go through day in day out, makes me realise how much we really should be thankful for.
Happy you did enjoy getting away and hope all that yummy food was of the soul food kind.
I know your post is very bitter sweet but you know what, you sound so much more dare I say it.. positive bleh word maybe strong and bananaesque is more approp, either way it’s good to see Amanda peeking thru the clouds again
I haven’t been back in years and have been wondering what its really like (besides from TV/pictures), so thanks for writing this. I can’t believe how much clean up there still is to do.