The Spirit of New Orleans

Sometimes I walk through the neighbourhoods and I wonder what life was like before the Hurricane. I did not have a point of reference at all to most of what I now see. But there is something magical about this place. Perhaps I have rose coloured glasses on and perhaps I can't see the real pain behind the smile. Perhaps I can't see through the alcholic's glistening eyes, the hurt they feel since they lost everything. But I do find that people have an ability to see the brighter side of life.

What is the spirit of New Orleans? Well, it's different for everyone. Most people will turn to the beats, the sounds, the big brass bands, the music that plays all day and all night. The dancing, the kickin' it out to the sound, closing your eyes and letting the music just take you away from the world that remains so empty and sullen. The music can breathe life back into the world where daily living becomes so difficult that it's easier to sit and do nothing and let the days drift by. Music can put a smile on the face of a stranger, through song, through words, through sound.

Music can even smell. The place it is played, the beer, the sweat as people perspire into each other, onto each other, as they dance like wild banshees in a wicked twist of sounds so intricate that you can stomp to any beat of the drum, trumpet, trombone, base or sax. I love to dance. I let myself go. I understand the feeling of reaching a euphoric peak as the music churns and my body moves and grooves. It's a sensual action that brings out my spirit. I wonder if it does the same for others?

Food, is unique down south. The spices, the smells, the Po-Boys... what can I say. I was introduced to a whole new way of eating and cooking. Everyone can make something good down here and everything has a spice... the spice of life... nothing is bland, nothing is bad... however everything is fried, but that's ok... it's food for the soul. It's good old home cooking. And since so many McDonald's and Burger King joints have closed down, the local Po-boy shop is doing a roaring trade. The Joint - where u get Moma's peacan pie, mash, mac and cheese, real burgers, gumbo... coleslaw on the side. It's something I can't find anywhere and feel comfort whilst i eat and drink...

The spirit lies in each person... sometimes dormant and waiting to arise, sometimes alive and kicking and ever present in a smile. But many people still cry on the inside. They hurt. They feel more than just forgotten about, they feel abandoned, well before the hurricane. It took a hurricane of this magnitude to really hammer home that they are the forgotten souls.

So I hope I can rekindle the spirit and people will go to New Orleans and pay the people a visit, step out of the French Quarter and into the lives of the people who make this City the place we know for it's Love of life, music, dance, sounds, tastes, sights and touch.