In our house we have pictures of Jean Lafitte Blacksmith shop and Pat Obriens.. I have pages in my scrapbook of our wonderful trip there a few years ago. We talked about going back but we had not yet.

We had the most fun, romantic and wonderful trip to New Orleans. We have been many places but this trip stands out in our minds. New Orleans, we love you.
We were mildly touched by Katrina, living in South Florida. I can not imagine what you are going through now.
To all those who can not travel there now, so sorry..this is a great place.

Amen!

We just got back from NO a few weeks ago and had the most wonderful time.

It was my fourth trip, and I had so much fun re-visiting places I had been and discovering new sights.

Any of us who know, love and admire the city are very sad tonight for the grand old lady of a town and her citizens.

I am sure aid will be swift, and giving generous.

My heart is heavy, too, robbiegirl. I've been watching the news all day (well, actually since Saturday) and I've been reduced to tears at times in seeing the devastation unfold today.

I've had my share of fun and memorable times in NOLA and it's hard to imagine the city the way it is now, but the burden of all the people on the entire Gulf Coast at this moment (especially those in NOLA) is just heartbreaking.

I think it also hit me when I saw the section of I-10 out of NOLA in shambles today, knowing my sister was sitting right there for hours just three short days ago in trying to get out while visiting. I also have a friend/in-law family member still stranded as a tourist in NOLA and have no idea what her situation is.

My prayers, sympathies and thoughts go out to all those affected. I pray that some relief comes to all very soon.

My heart is heavy as well. Just spoke of going again in November....uuuugggghhh, I feel so bad for those living there right now.

I am close to tears also...I cannot imagine the trauma that all of those in this trauma are going through. And it sounds as though it will be a long time before their lives are ever back to normal, and I don't think that anyone involved will ever feel unscathed by this horrible crises. It goes beyond belief the devastation Katrina has caused.

My daughter has a close friend who is about 70 years old. She is ethnic Italian. She has never been to Italy so she and her daughter went to Italy about 10 days ago for a 3 week vacation. This friends husband has some medical problems and so stayed homne in their house in NO.

This lady has not been able to reach her husband in NO from Italy via the phone. She does not know what the situation is, is her husband dead or alive? Did he somehow get out of NO?
She of course cannot fly immediately back from Italy to NO as all commercial flights are cancelled. Just one small sad story among I would think thousands of horrible stories. My heart is very heavy and is broken hearted for any and everyone that is part of this horrible disaster.

It's just a horror and my heart aches for all who are suffering.

The images and stories are absolutely heartbreaking. Peace be to those who are suffering such great loss.

Some of the very poorest people in the USA live in the flooded bayou areas also. I just saw a man on TV who couldn't hold on to his wife when the surge came through. What a terrible, terrible day.

Yes, it's hard to hold back the tears. New Orleans has been our favorite place to visit (6 times)in the U.S. Just read that the Quarter didn't suffer as much damage as some of the other areas - but with water continuing to rise, who knows?
Has anyone heard anything about how the Garden District has fared?

Hello JJ5, I think I saw the same man that you did. They were on their roof. He was holding onto his wifes hand and she told him to let go and to save their grandchild. She slid from his grasp and died. To heartbreaking to even understand how these dear people are keeping their sanity.

oh the tragedy!

I still remember singing with Miss Lilly at the Old LaFitte Blacksmith shop. I'm glad she didn't live to see this. She called us in SF right after the big earthquake in '88 to make certain we were ok.

May the public health remain in tact and may the sorrows ease in time.

Awful. I've felt so depressed watching the almost unbelievable tragedy unfold.

We lived there the first 7 years of our marriage. Both our kids were born in Touro Infirmary. Our first apartment on Lake Ave, Metairie was shown in some footage yesterday as it sits at the edge of a canal leading from Pontchartrain (water to the top yesterday, and I'm sure over the top today). I wonder about the house we later owned and loved in Terrytown....

Even knowing the city, it's all but unrecognizable now.

The stories unfolding are truly terrible.
I would encourage anyone who can to donate to their favorite charity. My two picks are always:
American Red Cross for human life and for anyone worried about the animal toll (pets were not allowed in most shelters)
www.bestfriends.org has a hurricane relief mission started.
I just feel so terrible for all of those poor people lost in this event. My thoughts are with the families and with poor ol' lovely New Orleans.. we spent our 3rd year wedding anniversary in the Big Easy, it's a city like no other.

Dear PamSF I just saw on CNN about 45 ninutes while the medical personnel were moving their patients to a rooftop area of their hospital in NO (do not know the name of the facility) their vehicles parked in the underground garage were being looted. I made me want to throw up and cry at the same time.

Oh PamSF, obviously I meant 45 minutes ago...must remember to use the Edit button. What a disaster, my mind can not even comrehend this tragedy not only this week but for the months to come.

I just don't understand the looters.

Are they desperate people stuck in the city who are at their wits end for food and water?

Or are they bottom feeder low lifes taking advantage of an unfortunate situation.

Being a compulsive trip planner, just last week I made reservations at La Maison Marigny for Quarter Fest next April. I wonder what the next 7-8 months will bring for New Orleans.

If you can believe the TV, it sounds as if the city has descended into total chaos.

Here's hoping they figure out a way to fix those levees.

Re: looting.

Taking food or essentials from stores is not only understandable but smart. Who knows when the next drink of fresh water will come or when the next meal will be served?

On the other hand, I saw people carrying TV's (no power sh*thead), DVD's and such. Saw people loading trucks with stuff. If they shot a few of them the rest might be the message that they are only stealing from their own community.

God Bless and save the poor souls in need.

mm

I have sympathy for the people taking food and water (the food would spoil, anyway) and even clothes, shoes, diapers, etc: in a situation this desperate, unfortunately, that may be what they have to do to survive--Jean Valjean in the 21st century.
Stealing tvs and electronics seems just plain boneheaded in places where there's no electricity and no safe place to store anything. Some of that kind of looting may be a panic response (I'm NOT advocating looting by any means, but it would make more sense to steal jewelry or something equally valuable and a lot easier to conceal and carry). I just hope no one is looting gun shops.
If I were faced with similar devastation, I hope and pray that I would not descend to stealing anything except what I absolutely needed to survive. But I really don't know what I would do in a similar situation and please God, may I never have to find out.