Friends like nowhere else

If we ever leave New Orleans, we will never, ever find friends like we have here.  Ever. 

People just are not as nice other places.  Where else will people trade and share food with you while you're cooking in the neutral ground on Mardi Gras day?   Where else will a casual conversation between strangers in a cigar bar result in an invite to parade in the grandest krewe of all?

But this got to me.  Mr Clio and Humid Haney posted links to the photo gallery from the National Geographic piece on New Orleans.  I don't know which quote got to me most.

• “What we do in New Orleans you can’t find anyplace else"
• "I hope we have another 40 years to live our life to the fullest”
• “Every time I think of leaving, I bump into somebody I know.”
• “My pain has made me stronger."
• “It’s one of the most magical cities in the world.”  But is the magic strong enough to save it? “Absolutely, positively, yes, without a doubt.”

Or maybe it was just the picture of Uncle Lionel, identified as a "jazz musician", getting money pinned to him at his birthday party.

All that stuff reminded me of why we're staying, despite the insurance, corruption, refusal to do what's best for the city, abandonment by America, and general shunning.  Despite the fact that on people's death certificate, the cause of death reads "'abandoned by their government".

Maybe it's my wife running into another woman with a tandem jogging stroller, talking with her for a while, and then finding out it's my friend Seymour D. Fair's wife.

Maybe it's my wife's insane doppelganger, Soviet Block, getting her pic on the Big Easy Rollergirls blog.  Hmmm...no, it isn't that.

Maybe it's the Saints.  Please note on the new roster how many rookie cornerbacks are taking fashion tips from Mike McKenzie.

The Saints do play a big part in my personal battle with sanity, and the friends I've made with that help a bunch.

Thanks, all.  WIth any luck, I'll have another 40 years here to live life to the fullest.

Comments

[Marco]

Tonight, in fact all nights, I lift my glass to the World Class New Orleanians.

[Skip Higgins]

“Every time I think of leaving,” “I bump into somebody I know.”-Eric Martin

Somebody please musicfy that as only NOLA can.We've got a lot of stuff in Vienna-but we ain't got this...nothing even close to the real you got in NOLA. As Cannonball said-Walk Tall-you're walking Tall NOLA-keep walkin'...

[liprap]

It's FAN-tastic being in the place that invented sense of place. It's also FAN-tastic being acquainted with those who know it.

Woohoo, Ashley!!!!

[GentillyGirl]

I'm going to do my best to have another 40 years here with a city filled with tres kewl folks.

*Hoists jug of whisky*

Thanks New Orleans for being here (still).

[saintseester]

Much luck, much love. NOLA stays a part of you forever.

[North Face Sale]

Well it was a pleasure to read such a wonderful story.I must say Great story and epic journey.