Think of us who have had to live with this for over a year in every aspect of our lives. Look on the bright side, you could have been here? Holler at me at the convention.

I love New Orleans and have been there often but didn't know how it could be ready for the NAR group.  Last convention we had there I remember waiting and waiting for service. I didn't think service was good before Katrina and couldn't imagine it any better after.

Eric - only so true!  It seems that many of the people working inb New Orleans now hardly speak any English - from the cab driver to the front desk. You must have had a painful year, far more painful than we have any idea.  Do hope to see you here.

Barring all the frustrating encounters I wish Icould have been there so enjoy it for me.

I imagine that even though many hotels are open, they only have a fraction of their pre-Katrina staffs and have filled the gaps with others as best they could. The hotels and convention spaces may be open but there's still so much more to do in so many neighborhoods. I'm sure that weighs on people's minds.

Sharon, thank for the update.  Please keep us posted on the convention.

Enjoy your trip Sharon, you are helping the economy down there, hopefully that will make up for the missing amenities.  Meeting Eric and Matt should be worth the minor inconveniences!

kk

Sharon,

I hope the trip gets more enjoyable for you.  I had wondered how things would be down there for a group like NAR conventioneers.  I had heard that staffing was still an issue, and that transportation was a bit of an issue as well. 

Have fun and let us know about the fun times!

Ann Cummings

You're right, Kristal. I wasn't complaining - I just thought a lot of people would want to know the current status of New Orleans. In addition to that - I thought the hotel's definition of excellence was really unique.

Often like visitng other cultures, we have to step out of our "hurry up" mentality and just go with the flo when we travel. Put your "patient hat" on, and maybe have one ready for the mouse too!

Absolutely, Lisa!  For me, one of the points of New Orleans is that I don't have to hurry.  (Of course, I'm strange anyway - one of the things I love about New Orleans is the feeling of safety that descends upon me when I arrive - I think it stems from the fact that no matter what I do, nobody's going to think I'm weird!)

Wish I could have been there this year - both because, well, any excuse to go to New Orleans, and because I'd love to meet a lot of you. 

As far as excellence and enjoyable, my first thought was, hey, it's New Orleans!  Enjoying life is the entire point!  And, then, if I enjoy myself, the service, whatever it was, was excellent.  

I remember after Katrina hit, feeling as though a beloved family member had died - life would never be the same if New Orleans was not there.  Eric, and the rest of you who live there, THANK YOU for hanging in there and working so danged hard to resurrect the city. 

Have fun at the Convention and good luck at the Bates Motel...lol

Scott

Hi Sharon, Wish I could be there. I hope you really enjoy yourself. And spend lots of money they need it:)

Sharon,

I notice your photo includes the boarded up business across the street.  Our tour guide mentioned  that particular business sustained most of its damage because of looting not from actual hurricane damage.  That is really the sad story of many of the businesses that have to re-build.

I heard that, too, Linda.  And I wonder if knowledge of the looting history and the number of transient workers now working in New Orleans were part of the "looking over my shoulder" that I didn't have on previous trips to New Orleans.