So, many of you have asked how the trip was and how was the city - so here is my feedback. The trip was great, and I will save you all the gory details of our debachery! We will just say, alcohol, walking, boys, bachelorette, naked women, shopping, eating, and hangovers! Who could ask for more - really!?!?

I didn't know what to expect from New Orleans just 18 months after Katrina. I had been to New Orleans 3 times before and had a blast down in the French Quarter each time. So I know what it was like before Katrina. And I can say that in the French Quarter, you are hard pressed to find remnants of that deadly storm. The noises, smells (good and bad), bars, restaurants and people - all the same. It was as alive as ever. Don't get me wrong, there were a few high rise buildings that had all windows blown out still, and much of the transportation was limited (oops, wrong trolley line). But all in all, the city was much better than I had expected.

Sunday we walked down to the Garden District, which by my count was about a 2 mile walk. Between the two districts is where we saw some of the storied impacts of Katrina. The volume of people was definitely less, and there were plenty of unlivable housing quarters. Keep in mind, we didn't visit the most damaged area, and we were off the beaten track, but it was a bold reminder of what had happened just a few short months ago to a city that just couldn't handle the hit. As we arrived at the Garden district we were returned to signs of life - grocery stores open, beautiful houses with green lawns and huge, ancient trees with some renovations here and there.

To me, it looks like New Orleans is on the mends, and that makes me more than thrilled because I abosultely love that city and the experiences you have while you are there. If you haven't been and ever get a chance - GO!