visit to the 9th ward: where New Orleans is at

Three years ago in the summer Katrina devastated New Orleans. The following May a group of us went to New Orleans for Jazzfest to support a city we loved by being tourists, by spending money in its restaurant and hotels, in its clubs and stores by attending Jazzfest.

At that time we toured the 9th ward where the levee broke Despite what I had seen on the news, in print and on TV, despite that it was 9 months later, the devastation was mind blowing: houses off their foundations, cars on top of houses, houses on top of cars, for blocks and blocks.

Now three years later, the levee is repaired, and the debris had pretty much all been removed. Apparently most of the removal had taken place last year. Now a few houses, new construction, or fema trailers stood alone surrounded by tall grass. No services, no schools, no hospitals nearby.
 

We drove block after block, the absence speaking volumes. We went over the bridge and saw the block Harry Connick has been supporting, his musician's street that is featured in commercials and it does look like the start of a neighborhood. But the reality is in the gap between what was and what is

.

Yes, three years later, New Orleans is coming back. But it is coming back slower, with less people, less services, a weaker economy than before.

New Orleans is also suffering because of a general slow down in the economy. Not as many people are choosing to drive because of the price of gas, not as many business people are attending conventions.

New Orleans does good business during Jazzfest -- but after -- well, things are still tough.