Once at a party in New Orleans, an elderly local doyen asked me where I lived in the city. “Faubourg Marigny, east of the French Quarter,” I answered naively.
In a practiced tone reserved exclusively for those not from families with roots buried centuries deep into the city, she replied. “You must not be from around heyah (Imagine Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara speaking this line.) Around heyah, we say UP RIVAH and DOWN RIVAH.”
And it is in a that same patronizing tone that several friends have told me, when they hear of our plans, “You’re going to miss New Orleans.”
“I WILL miss New Orleans,” I reply, “And Baton Rouge, and St. Francisville, and Breaux Bridge, and Mandeville, and Pontchatoula…and even Chalmette.”
I’ll miss every twisted turn of River Road, and every quirky cultural crevice I’ve had the joy to explore around these parts over the last many decades.
That is in fact, precisely why I’m leaving.
Because, when I return, the inevitable “taking it for granted” phenomenon that sinks in over the years, will have dropped away. And all these amazing things will once again be—amazing.
Meanwhile, I’ll be on the hunt for all that is amazing elsewhere.
I’ll most definitely miss the hysterical costumes that fill the streets of Faubourg Marigny on Mardi Gras Day.
You will miss it, Dale, but you will love the new places too. Hope to see you in Juneau one day 🙂
New Orleans gets in your blood like malaria
It’s often confused with hysteria
I was born and raised in the 1200 block of St Roch. I have left and returned to NOLA several times, the latest after Katrina. Lived and worked in 5 foreign country, yet will forever call New Orleans home. Listening to “Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans” brings tears, sweet memories and a promise to return and spend the rest of my life. I stayed at Sweet Olive just loved it. Enjoy the road guys, its wonderful….
Adios Amigos
I visited New Orleans in 96 and a month later had to moved there. I taoltly felt in love with the city. Beignets, cafe au lait, po’ boys and gumbo can change your life forever. I now live in Florida but New Orleans still has a special place in my heart. Thanks for sharing the pictures!