Becca's travels
The Pride of New Orleans
by Becca Stephen, posted Nov. 14, 2007
When I went to New Orleans a few weeks ago, I was unsure of what I would see in the continuing aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The city was ravaged to the point of despair and I was concerned about the condition of the city.
I was traveling south for the National Beef Ambassador Contest, which was originally going to be held in New Orleans in 2005 but Katrina created a change in plans. Two years later the city was finally built back enough to host the conference.
When traveling over Lake Pontchartrain, the lake that flooded New Orleans, it became obvious to me why the city was overwhelmed with water. New Orleans is surrounded by water and the only way into the city is by the Causeway, a four-lane bridge that is 24 miles long. The land below the Causeway is not solid land like we have here in Missouri. Southern Louisiana is covered with marsh and swamp land with an occasional shack and hunting camp.
Once I actually entered New Orleans, I was shocked by how much was rebuilt. The city was functioning with all of its glory, and I could see how hard the people of New Orleans worked to bring back their city after the hurricane. However, all of the buildings and businesses had a different look to them. They literally looked “weathered,” if that isn’t enough of an understatement.
When I traveled to other parts of the city, the wrath of Katrina became more apparent. There are houses still destroyed and sitting empty with a FEMA trailer parked in the front, and you can still see water lines on walls. Despite the constant reminder of the tragedy they have faced, the citizens of New Orleans remain proud and are continually trying to rebuild the city they still call home.
