New Orleans Surprises, Part 2
By Marcie Dickson
Nov 17, 2009 - 12:00 AM
Why doesn't New Orleans have high-speed transit to Baton Rouge or Houston?
A day never passes in New Orleans without me shaking my head in amazement. Whether it’s the shock of seeing cars at frozen daiquiri drive-through windows or the hoopla surrounding Camellia Grill (no offense: It may be historic, but aside from its ambiance, it’s quite reminiscent of a Jersey diner), there’s no place like N’awlins.
Here’s another installment of “New Orleans surprises” from my Yankee purview:
1. 2009-10 Losing Season for the Hornets?
I hope that by the end of the season I’ll need to recant and eat my words. But it’s not looking too good for the New Orleans Hornets. Before the season, if someone had predicted that as of today the Saints would be 9-0 and the Hornets 3-8, it would have sparked skepticism. But sure enough, as of this week the Saints remain unbeaten after almost getting rammed in St. Louis, but the Hornets are still dribbling down a road to nowhere. A Saints Super Bowl win would likely obscure a dismal Hornets season. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that — the Hornets losing season, that is.
2. Passenger Trains?
The New Orleans streetcar is a historic mode of transportation, and it’s convenient depending on where you need to go. It’s come in handy quite a few times for me when driving wasn’t an option and walking to the Quarter in 99 degrees wasn’t such a good idea either. Riding the streetcar reminds me of how much I used to rely on trains when I lived in the Northeast.
Sometimes I wish there were a rail line from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and Houston. A high-speed train would provide a different option for traveling to these cities instead of the usual monotonous drive on Interstate 10 or a $500 plane ticket to Bush International Airport.
I have a few colleagues who make long commutes to New Orleans, and sure, it’s not too bad of a drive, but in traffic, that’s a different story. I wish they didn’t have to spend so many hours behind the wheel. It’d be much better (and safer) to spend the commute reading a book or catching up on sleep.
So I’ll just flat out ask: Why isn’t there a passenger train that extends to Baton Rouge or Houston? Is it because a limited number of people make the commute to or from Baton Rouge? Or is the infrastructure too unstable to support a high-speed rail line? Is it more an issue of funding?
And on another note, wouldn’t a rail line help expedite the hurricane evacuation process?
Am I totally off my rocker on this one?
3. Homelessness
I was surprised — no, stunned — when I read an article in March 2008 about the astronomical rate of homelessness in New Orleans. According to a local homeless advocacy group, one in 25 New Orleanians is homeless, post-K.
This is four times the rate of homelessness in other American cities. Many advocates have pointed out that homelessness has nearly doubled since Katrina because of limited outreach centers and skyrocketing rents.
I don’t know about you, but it’s difficult for me to rest at night when I know there are thousands around the city who sleep in blighted buildings on moldy bedrolls.
I know there are plenty of social justice endeavors worth attention and money; this is certainly one of them. We can do better; we must do better — even if it’s just volunteering in our spare time. It would be much better than turning a blind eye and doing nothing at all.
http://www.unitygno.org/voldon.html
http://www.no-hunger.org/donate/donations.htm
4. Louis Armstrong Airport: Least-desirable airport
For a city so renowned for tourism, it’s hard to believe that the city’s proverbial welcoming gate — the airport — always seems like a ghost town. Granted, it’s not an airline hub, so there’s less through traffic, but still, MSY never bustles at the rate of other metropolitan airports. Maybe I’m too accustomed to Newark airport and its thousands of daily plane departures and arrivals.
I guess there’s really no use in comparing New York City-area airports to New Orleans, but it’s hard not to as MSY has something all others lack: the potential to showcase Big Easy spirit, the enticing sounds of jazz recordings and smoky scents.
Wouldn’t it be cool to have mini-parades through terminals and manufactured scents throughout the airport or at least in the restaurant areas? Wouldn’t it be nice to make MSY more distinctive in character? First impressions often make a difference.
Does the fact that it’s located in Kenner have anything to do with it?
5. To rue or not to rue making roux
I’ll never be like Leah Chase. I accept this fact. But at some point in the next decade I’d like to make a decent batch of red beans and rice. I’m embarrassed every time I get caught in the grocery line with multiple cans of Blue Runner beans — the beans I later mix with instant rice to make a faux Monday special. And when it comes to gumbo — forget about it. I need to live next door to a fire station if I ever want to try that again. For now I’ll just stick to roux in a jar and stay glued to the stove when heating it up.
Somehow I thought making traditional Cajun dishes would be a lot easier by now: Add a lil’ lagniappe here, a lil’ gris gris there and BAM!
But it’s not like that — not even close.
Last weekend a friend offered me a bowl of her prized gumbo. It was expertly made and, quite possibly, on par with Chase’s gumbo: chock full of crab, spicy sausage, chicken and a perfect roux.
That gumbo recipe of hers must be in her blood. And that’d explain why I can’t make it — like her or Chase.
Perhaps I should enlist the help of a cooking class or 10. Maybe then I’ll be able to make a suitable roux. One thing I know for sure, however, is that if I’m ever able to make an edible pot of gumbo, it’ll be a jaw-dropping surprise –– and a welcome surprise indeed.
About This Blog
In spite of how much she tries to feign Cajun flavor and infuse her speech with yat, Marcie Dickson is not from New Orleans. She’s a Jersey girl — born and raised.
She still has intense cravings for Jersey bagels and “diner fare,” but she would gladly swear it off for a lifetime, especially if it means she can continue indulging in crawfish etouffee, jambalaya and bread pudding.
And it’s not that she’s chosen to disavow her New Jersey roots, it’s just that she’s incredibly smitten with New Orleans. Aside from hurricane season and shady politics, what’s not to love about this grand city?
She hasn’t quite decided what she loves most: strolls through Audubon Park, music in the Marigny, drinking daiquiris on sidewalks, or Mardi Gras, among many other things.
Her list continues to grow as she discovers more each day. Follow this quirky girl as she makes her way through this equally quirky city.
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Reader Comments:
2) Jindal just turned down Federal money that could've been applied toward establishing passenger rail service. The initial investment would be considerable, but the politics of it are the biggest hurdle, I think.
4) The airport always looks unkept, dingy, and dirty, compared to most in the country, along with the taxi fleet that looks like it was shipped in from Yemen. Perhaps a result of the crooked deals between the Mayor and his favorites. It's a terrible introduction to the city for tourists.
5) Roux isn't that difficult with a little practice and parience. Take a look at Chef Paul's book.
We definitely need a train!
Amen on the train issue! And let's not forget about having light rail that makes the circuit around the Lake with express service back and forth to the airport. Right now, though, I would settle to have roads that don't look like they got shipped over from Yemen with the airport taxis!
Amtrak runs a train connecting New Orleans and Houston three days a week (sorry Baton Rouge - this line runs through Morgan City).
I'm from west Texas and I took a cooking class at The New Orleans School of Cooking, in the quarter. I know I'll never be native, but everyone I've cooked for since has loved my gumbo and jambalaya. I even give them away as gifts. The class was fun, but the food was the best part.
I'd be happy with at least a light rail system between Slidell and New Orleans.
The Hornets won tonight 110-102! Don't count'em out just yet!!!!
I also took the classes at New Orleans School of Cooking and learned how to make gumbo and jambalya. Everyone who tried mine up here in Wisconsin loved it too!
As for your airport......when I visit I am just so happy to be back in New Orleans that I don't care what the airport looks like. I have, however, noticed the taxis.
I agree completely! We do need a commuter rail circling New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville and Slidell. I believe that it would be a great benefit for all to contribute to other areas' commerce as well as our own. I live in Mandeville and work in New Orleans and let me tell you, a commuter train would be heaven sent. My husband and I love to go out to dinner in New Orleans, but driving back at night is definitely a turn off. It would be much safer and economic for commuters. The only downside is that there would need to be a great taxi & bus locations for when the train departs. There are quite a few people that work in Metairie, Kenner, West Bank and other hard to reach areas of New Orleans that would need that option. The first comment that was posted is right. It is definitely the politics that gets in the way. I know for the Northshore most people would be hesitant about a commuter rail because of some of the "riff raff" might either move or visit the area, but they definitely won't come out and say it. This is just a part of the issue(s).
As far as the airport, it is the worst airport that I have ever seen. I have traveled quite a bit domestically and internationally and this airport feels like an airport brought out of movie Bettlejuice. The airport is not very appealing and scary in the evening.
On the homeless issue, it is very sad. I have seen so many homeless people in New Orleans and I feel like I see more and more every day. There really needs to be a program in place and your right more need to volunteer and give back. We need more jobs created and more businesses moving back to our area. The list goes on and on. I will say that I’m not very educated on this subject and my comment may seem very naïve, but I can say that there is a problem and it needs to be resolved.
Thanks for your posts Marcie, I glad that you notice these issues, not many people do or they just don’t talk about it. Keep ‘em coming!
(2)I absolutely agree that we need commuter train service in this area - especially between the north and south shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Having grown up in the Northeast, where train service makes life so much more convenient, I find it strange that people are SO resistant to the idea. (An aside, I believe that most Federal funds come with MANY strings attached. Let's find out what those strings are before we beat up anyone for not accepting them).
(4)Although I think the airport won't ever win any awards, I certainly don't believe it's the worst airport I've ever seen (had a rat run in front of me in Miami recently - haven't had that happen here! And the bathrooms at DFW and Logan - YUCK!!).
Let's remember that New Orleans is a destination airport - there are VERY few connections through here. Therefore, you don't have passenger waits like you do in (say) DFW or Atlanta. When you don't have people waiting around for several hours, you have no need for all the "bells and whistles". Why would a multitude of businesses open when you don't have the customer base? It's just not cost effective.
Also, having spent a LOT of time over the years sitting in airports (my husband is an airline Captain) - I've found that the employees/staff at MSY are some of the friendliest and efficient I've seen anywhere (particularly the gate agents).
Thanks for the great articles Marcie!