This is our first trip back to New Orleans since pre-Katrina. There is something almost magical about New Orleans. It has a certain creative and spiritual energy that is only felt in a few places in North America. We first felt this when visiting Santa Fe when we lived in Colorado. Both cities rely heavily on tourism, however, it is the culture, the people, the art, the environment that first attracted tourists to these regions and if you venture beyond the tourist attractions and districts there exists a rich, and diverse energy that makes both these cities come alive.
Courtyard, Maison St. Charles
Quality Inn
New Orleans, LA
We wanted to stay within walking distance to the Warehouse / Arts District and the French Quarter, so opted for Maison St. Charles Hotel and Suites, a member of the Quality Inn chain. It is located at the east end of the Garden District. With free parking, complimentary breakfast and tastefully appointed rooms and grounds that were pet friendly it was the perfect base for exploring New Orleans.
Truck exiting Pontchartrain Expressway
New Orleans, LA
As we crossed under the Pontchartrain Expressway on our way into downtown we thought this would be our last truck photo for a few days. However, a transportation sub-theme continued to be present throughout our visit.
Streetcar
St Charles Ave, Garden District
New Orleans, LA
The St. Charles Streetcar line runs from Uptown, west of the Garden District to Canal at the West edge of the French Quarter. With a stop right outside our hotel this would have been a convenient way to get around, however, we took advantage of the fabulous weather and walked pretty much everywhere.
Truck
French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
We were not sure that we wanted to know exactly what this vacuum truck sucks up, however, it caught Phil's attention as we walked east along Chartres Street in the French Quarter early one morning.
Leidenheimer Delivery Truck
French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
One of the Leidenheimer Baking Company delivery trucks parked in the French Quarter. Leidenheimer french bread is a popular choice for the perfect legendary Po-boy.
Graffiti on Cube Van
New Orleans, LA
It seems that white cube vans are the canvas of choice for graffiti artists everywhere. We saw this one parked in the Warehouse / Arts District.
New Orleans, LA
Another Warehouse / Arts District spotting. How could you miss this fuchsia and almost acid green custom job?
Termite Eliminators
New Orleans, LA
We noticed this car covered with images of termites, before we saw the advertising on the rear.
Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is a city of culture and contrasts. We were here to look at art, to have a bit of a vacation and to see how the city has changed post-Katrina. I plan to blog about the art scene, the galleries, and some of the work we saw on my other art blog, so will just share here some of the random things that caught our attention as we wandered the streets of New Orleans.
Houses
French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
When you get off Royal or Bourbon the main thoroughfares running through the French Quarter the streets feel more neighbourhood like and less touristy. We overheard one of the tour guides state that originally yellow houses indicated that the inhabitants spoke french.
Yellow House, French Quarter
New Orleans, LA
Occasionally we were able to glimpse through the iron gates and open shutters revealing the amazing hidden courtyard gardens.
Private Courtyard, French Quarter
New Orleans, LA
And iron horse stanchions still lined the streets.
Horse Stanchions, French Quarter
New Orleans, LA
We assumed that these ironwork tendrils were to keep Mardi Gras revelers from climbing onto the balconies as well as for general security.
Iron Work, French Quarter
New Orleans, LA
Security is obviously an issue, as we saw a variety of creative and interesting gate top security solutions. This barbed wire and bead solution looked whimsical and festive.
Beads and Barbed Wire on Security Gate
New Orleans, LA
Although we saw some interesting graffiti, we were surprised that we did not see more tagging.
Graffiti
New Orleans, LA
Graffiti
New Orleans, LA
While graffiti is debatable as a public art form, public art is very much part of the civic landscape. The Sculpture for New Orleans program curated by Michael Manjarris and Peter Lundberg places monumental sculptural works by local, national and international artists throughout New Orleans.
Bunny, 2008, Tara Conley
Bronze
Sculpture for New Orleans
Lafayette Square, New Orleans, LA
We came across two of these works Bunny by American artist Tara Conley, and Flowers for Theresa by Aria da Capo in Lafayette Square in the heart of the Central Business District.
Flowers for Theresa, 2009, Aria da Capo
Concrete, Steel
Sculpture for New Orleans
Lafayette Square, New Orleans, LA
We were struck by the amazing architecture throughout the city. The Norman Mayer Memorial Building at 211 Camp was built in 1900 out of cream coloured brick and terra cotta replacing a Venetian renaissance style cast-iron structure.
Norman Mayer Memorial Building
211 Camp St
New Orleans, LA
The bright colours and clean lines of the Duffy's sign and facade were juxtaposed nicely with the palm tree and ornate architecture of many of the other landmarks on Canal St.
Duffy's Restaurant
Canal St
New Orleans, LA
In sharp contrast to the architecture and bustle of activity in central New Orleans was the Lower Ninth Ward. It was difficult to see the extent of the devastation now more than five years later. Seeing the images on television, newspapers and magazines does not come close to capturing the magnitude of this disaster.
Lower Ninth Ward
New Orleans, LA
Lower Ninth Ward
New Orleans, LA
Block after block of homes, businesses, schools, and stores stood empty, deserted and seemingly forgotten. As if everyone had vanished. We could not help but wonder, how do you cope, go on, continue when your entire life, home, memories, and community have been destroyed. It was like a ghost town in the middle of the city. It was depressing, disheartening, and disappointing that this community still sits here like Katrina happened mere weeks or months ago.
"Roots Run Deep Here"
Lower Ninth Ward
New Orleans, LA
However, there were little signs of hope. Families such as this one remind us that this is still a community with strong roots. There were signs of construction and redevelopment and some homes that had lovingly been restored.
Lower Ninth Ward
New Orleans, LA
We left the Lower 9th Ward feeling uncomfortable, like voyeurs, privileged and fortunate, like we should do something, need to do something but not knowing what to do. We headed to Magazine Street to go for a walk and grab some dinner.
Artwork on construction boarding
Magazine St
New Orleans, LA
One of the things that has drawn us to New Orleans and which seems to be one of the defining elements in the post-Katrina rebirth is the strong sense of culture and aesthetics. It seems everywhere you look there are little examples of deliberate or unconscious artistic and aesthetic interventions.
Drain spout
New Orleans, LA
Drain spout
New Orleans, LA
Pick up after your dog sign
New Orleans, LA
AntiGravity Alternative Monthly Newsstand
Julia St
New Orleans, LA
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