Seven, that was an uplifting piece, thanks for posting.
Anna, to answer your question about the apartment we were buying there:
Due to one paper we needed, we were not able to close on the place on our original date three days before the hurricane. The apartment in the Fauborg Marigny fared well, as did that whole neighborhood. But we and the seller, who is probably now a lifelong friend, called off the sale yesterday.
Besides the obvious reasons, with the immediate housing shortage when the city reopens, we all felt it was better for him to be able to rent the place out or sell it to someone who had lost their primary dwelling.
To make this even more difficult, our realtor, who we are all very fond of, has been missing since the storm and we are all very worried as every day goes by.
So, our New Orleans dream isnt over, just deferred for a while. It seems obscene to mourn the postponement of buying a second home, but it is something we had worked towards for years, so naturally it was sad to call it off.
Some of you have written asking also about the fate of my brother's house in the Marigny, where we used to stay winters and Mardi Gras till recently. His block is also dry, but we fear more storm damage as the roof was in bad shape..just waiting for him to be able to return and see for himself. He is currently in Houston with my cousins there.
Thanks to everyone for their calls, mail, etc. at this difficult time.