For the first time in 8 years, my wife and I took a vacation alone.  Shirking virtually all responsibility (I did take my phone and computer so that clients could keep in touch and I could check AR), we took to the skies and headed south to the Big Easy.  

The start was a little rough as our 2 3 5-hour layover in Alabama left little to do but ponder Andrew Lenza's Depression post against the LCD backdrop of newly-minted millionaires created by the NFL Draft.  The good news was that we closed down the bar / grill; a feat that we have not accomplished in quite some time.  Admittedly, doing so at 8:00p is not much of an triumph.

The rest of the trip exceeded expectations.  New Orleans is a fabric woven with truth and legend held together by stitches of time that are visible here like no place else.  We wandered aimlessly, following new threads and absorbing as much as we could; awe-inspiring churches, fascinating museums, quaint shops, sensational dining, unrivaled nightlife, and some of the most unique historical sites in the country, all the while single handedly double-fistedly invigorating the economy.  In fact, we may have staved off the Depression that Andrew predicts. (Note to Dept of Revenue - please forward Stimulus Check to Visa - PO Box...).

Yes, we saw the frayed edges as well and we talked the people who said, "it's not the same."  As with any tragedy, normal is forever redefined.  New Orleans will never be the same as it was pre-Katrina.  The fabric has been washed and the dye of innocence carried away with the retreating waters.  (I know associating innocence with the French Quarter is a stretch of relativity that only Einstein could truly appreciate). 

However, the reality of the human spirit is that we adapt and survive.  That spirit is on full display in New Orleans.  Not only are the city and her residents surviving, but also they are willing and able to cater to your needs, wants, and desires.  The city maintains its heritage but is passionate about rebuilding.  It is a normal that was perfectly fine with us.

I encourage all who read this to go or go back.  Go and Explore, Learn, Eat, Drink, Sleep (if you have to), but just GO.  

As for my wife and I, we would like to say, "Thank you New Orleans! We will be back."

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance.  He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction.