Hello again, I thought I'd return to this thread for a bit as I have just returned from my annual visit to New Orleans and and got a firsthand look at the state of the city and surrounding areas. It was my first time back since April of last year, and while I was humbled and saddened to see firsthand some of the destruction that Katrina wrought, I was also impressed by the resiliance of the locals, and the efforts they have undertaken to rebuild and recover from the disaster.
First things first. There seems to be a general opinion, especially among people who have never visited New Orleans, that the city was wiped out by last year's hurricane and essentially lies in ruins. This is definately not the case. The French Quarter and a good bit of Uptown were relatively undamaged, as was the Fauborg Marigny. Treme and Mid-City got it a bit worse, especially the Fauborg St. John. The Bywater suffered badly as well, and the Ninth Ward was indeed, for the most part, destroyed. The worst hit areas that I saw were New Orleans East, Chalmette and Slidell, all outlying suburbs of the city. I also heard from locals stories of terrible damage elsewhere, such as Jefferson Parish, which lies due south of the city.
All and all, it was a strange and harrowing visit, one of the oddest things being the mere fact that there just aren't nearly as many people in New Orleans as there were before. Now that's a lovely thing if hoards of tourist's tend to get on one's nerves, but it's hardly good for the city's economy. New Orleans has suffered a drastic reduction in its population size, having gone from a city of about 300,000 to about 100,000. There is a terrible housing shortage as well for those residents who would like to return. Rents and property values have escalated somewhere in the neighbourhood of about 30-50% from last year. All the friends and acquaintances that I met while in the city were actually homeowners whose property suffered minimal to moderate damage. I had several friends who actually could not return post evacuation due to the housing shortage. This is a hot issue with local government, and i would say that it will continue to be so for some time...
As far as the Voodoo community, it's active. During my visit I spoke extensively with one of the city's most respected Priestesses, and also had the honour of meeting a rather esteemed Priest whom I had not previously had the pleasure to make the acquaintance of. I also caught up with many fellow practitioners, as well as magicians from a variety of traditions. While the city has suffered loss among its population, those who remain are hard at work, both on a magical and material level, at sorting things out and rebuilding their lives from the root up.
My own work in the city was some interesting stuff this time around. I treat my annual visits to New Orleans as a homecoming and a pilgramge, for that's what they are to me. I am dealt an initiation with each visit, and am forever amazed at how each one impacts my understanding of life, magic and my spiritual tradition. The main purpose of this year's visit was for me to present the mysteries of my spiritual home to my travelling companion, for it was his first time in New Orleans, and also to strengthen my relationships there, be they human or spiritual.
Practially, my work was an influx of giving...libations, offerings, gifts to the Powers. Prayers for the city to grow strong and to recover from disaster. Prayers for protection from storms for the coming year. Rememberance of the Dead, and prayers for those who suffered grief and loss.
The Loa are alive and well in New Orleans, and working hard to restore the city, as are those that honour and serve them. I encourage everyone with the means and desire to do so to visit this unique and holy place, so that it may grow strong again and endure for years to come.
xxx |
