Bill Simmons (ESPN, Page 2) is a good writer who I read on occasion, and I stumbled across this article (actually a good friend sent it my way - Thanks again, Kevin).
Please read Bill Simmons article, You Can Help Ease New Orleans' Pain, here.
Ostensibly about the NBA, their All-Star Game this past weekend in NOLA, and the comeback of the NBA, it made some good points about New Orleans we should consider. I know I am. After reading it, I am still not ready to take the family and go there for a week - as I did for 7 straight years during JazzFest. The crime rate alone is prohibitive and the government has got to get a handle on that if they want the city to come back. Especially because, as Mr. Simmons mentions in the article, you go on vacation to relax and not to be reminded, constantly, of how terrible things are and have been there. "New Orleans has baggage now -- visible baggage -- and when people are on vacation, they want to deal only with baggage like suitcases." Perfectly said, I think. But maybe that is just the first time back... Maybe its time we should do a long weekend and see how it goes? I wouldn't be trying to organize a friends and family trip for 10 people to stay 5-7 days right away, but I'm thinking a Fri. afternoon - Mon. eve trip may be in order... Extend it a few extra days next year, the way we did in the beginning of our annual JazzFest trips? Fly out on Friday morning, leave early Monday eve? If not this year, maybe next?
Something to think about...
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