During a break in media sessions we took a drive with a few other reporters through the streets of New Orleans, more specifically parts of the city that haven't recovered from Hurricane Katrina.
Growing up in New York, I remember Hurricane Gloria, which reached Long Island as a fairly powerful storm in the mid-1980's. We had a tree break in half outside our home and I thought then that was bad. Seeing what I've seen today, I laugh at thinking that was anything now.
The group of reporters ended up in almost silence for an hour and words, no matter how descriptive, struggle to encapsulate what you will see if you take this drive. The visuals were disturbing. Boats still overturned in the bayou of St. Bernard's Parish. Houses tilted on its sides. Entire shopping centers boarded up and shuttered for over a year. Blocks upon blocks of abandoned homes, many of which looked like they were fairly nice before the storm.
Anyone who comes to New Orleans should take this trip. Rent a car. Drive down Claiborne Road and you'll be shocked at the devastation and the fact that it doesn't look like the area has been touched since Katrina.
There were hotels missing roofs. Signs which were advertising back to school specials, meaning they haven't been touched since Katrina hit in late August 2005.
A cheap cab ride to the destruction should be part of every ND fan's Sugar Bowl itinerary. Our cabbies tell great stories, and have awesome accents too.
Posted by: mikeyanagita | January 01, 2007 at 06:13 AM
Charlie Wise has become so predictable in play calling that it is no wonder that defenses look good against Notre Dame. The receivers are dropping to many passes. Charlie Wise is not the answer to Notre Dame returning to national prominence. Rick Minter needs to be fired as the defensive coordinator. This is a home game for lsu.
Posted by: hsiri | January 04, 2007 at 12:19 AM