The Big Easy

Eli and I have always had a soft spot for New Orleans and were distraught to watch the distruction and mayhem Katrina brought to Nola (and our frinds who live ). John and I ended our motorcycle trip through the Delta there, meeting up with Eli, as well as John's fiancee and my older brother. It was important for Eli and I to include Nola on our "farewell" tour.

Nola put on a good front for a holiday weekend, but it was very evident that the city is still recovering, and the tourism dollars aren't pouring in as fast as they could. Parts of the French Quarter already look different and I feel a lot will change in the next year.

The Napoleon House, a fav of mine. Still going strong and serving their Pimm's Cups.




















My brother's fav, Jean laFitt's Blacksmith Shop, how can a hurricaner hurt somewhere with no electric lights?














Bananas Foster being prepared at Eli's and my favorite New Orleans restuarant, the Palace Cafe.



















Eli and I did get out of the city, we vantured to "Laura," a Creole planation being rebuilt by its current owner. The owner is an avid fan of the tales of Lapin and Bouki, Senegal folktales that came over with the slaves and were translated into French and past down through generations. It was here at "Laura" that these tales were first recorded on paper. Most would know them better from their English counterpart, Brer Rabbit. Laura's owneralso noted that these tales are still past down in the natvie Sengal dialect and have remained unchanged for centuries. I did two student animations based on the Lapin tales, so I was estatic to find someone who could give me more insight into the folklore.

The rear of the main plantation house; it burned before Katrina but the centuries old brickwork held and now it is being reconstructed to appear as it did in the 19th century.













One of "Laura's" former slaves cottages (and later sharecropping shack). The Lapin legends were first recorded on paper in shacks like these at this very plantation.













Laura's owner, a great folklorist and excellent tour guide.













Unfortunately, even the areas around Nola were hard hit by Katrina, all of "Laura's" employee's were laid off after the storm and the plantation has only been able to hire a few on since.

It seemed quite apparent to us that loans and insurance checks weren't arriving in New Orleans and the only way to help the city get back on its feet is to visit and keep the place going with tourist dollars.