The New New Orleans.

So we're back in New Orleans, and as a semi-regular visitor to the city, I can make some comparisons to the previous visits. The town has changed, to be sure.

Traffic.
Dec. 2005: Very light. Lots of hummers with MPs and ambulances. Not much else.
July 2006: Getting heavy. People are back, and so are a lot of out-of-towners. More 18-wheelers are on the roads.
Dec. 2006. Sweet feathery Jesus. Stuck in a jam on Veterans Boulevard on Friday afternoon. Lots of locals are back in the mix. Stop signs seem to be optional, as do blinking red lights.

Attitudes.
Dec. 2005: Joy mixed with profound depression, yet most people are very very nice.
July 2006: A sense of forward momentum, and everyone is busy on repair/rebuilding projects, and still pretty nice.
Dec. 2006: People are still busy rebuilding, getting places, but the small-town kindnesses are few and far between. Lots of surly check-out girls no matter where you shop.

Trash.
Dec. 2005: Big heaping piles everywhere. Large appliances on the curb.
July 2006: Still large piles, but not as visible. Not many appliances in view.
Dec. 2005: Trash piles very few and far between, but general litter more visible now than in previous visits.

Business.
Dec. 2005: Very few stores/shops/restaurants are open; hours are limited.
July 2006: More old businesses and new businesses are open; hours are relatively normal. But not quite.
Dec. 2006: Very few places are closed. Several places have moved to new locations. Hours are normal.

Kids.
Dec. 2005: I could count on both hands the number of children I saw.
July 2006: I was surprised when I would go out and see kids. Lots more were back.
Dec. 2006: Kids are everywhere...at schools, on busses, at stores. Yep, the kids are back.

French Quarter.
Dec. 2005: Bars are open; Bourbon Street is rocking. Many shops closed.
July 2006: Bars are open; Bourbon Street is rocking. Many shops open.
Dec. 2006: Bars are open; Bourbon Street is rocking. Many shops open. Still.

In all, the city is almost normal. Like a big city again. However, as we drove through town yesterday, there were still places that were deserted. Damaged. Shocking, and sad. It was a jolt back to, "Hey, things are still not right. People are still not back. Houses are still empty. Damn." Fifteen months later and still...my god. God help New Orleans...

Since coming back to New Orleans this time, I can say that I feel something has changed. I can't put my finger on it right at the moment, but the general vibe is much different. I feel like an intruder. I don't know if this will change; I do hope so. Now, we aren't pressured to get work done and get back to Utah. We're here for the duration, a length of time I'm not sure how long will last. After the stress of selling and moving, perhaps I'm still tired and my perceptions are somewhat tainted by the uncertainty of my life right now. I'm not scared, I'm just...sort of...drifting. Honestly, I can't wait until we can get to work on the construction project we have to do. I think that will help. And, the imminent visit of my dear friend Carolyn will be a much-needed tonic to the last month's drama. I cannot wait to see her here!