Art Deco, decayed: my favorite building in NOLA

This is a still-functioning high school. These are its real, true colors. Of all the majestic buildings here, this is my favorite.

Algiers

Algiers is a grouping of neighborhoods on the West side of the Mississippi river.  Historic Algiers Point has the ignominious reputation of being a stop-gap for slaves about to be sold to wealthy owners on the other side of the river. The South and its reprehensible history are truly hard to digest sometimes.  Occasionally, it feels like we've come so far, and at other times, not so much.  I just read an article stating that Louisiana is becoming even more conservative and even more segregated than ever in these recent times. I'm reminded of lyrics in Neil Young's song "Alabama" (which could be renamed with almost any southern state, or just The South, in general): "Alabama, you've got the rest of The Union to help you along/What's going wrong?" I also read an article stating that some southern states are signing a petition to secede after this year's reelection of our president.  I'd almost like to see those types try secession, to see how that goes for them.

Well, let's change the direction of this, so far, dour post, shall we? On my most recent visit to Algiers Point, I couldn't get over the rich, verdant yards.  So much "yard space" on our side of the river consists of crooked cobblestones and slanted cement slabs being pushed up by the root systems of some very old trees.  I appreciated the gardenia and banana trees and the lush little bushes in Algiers. 

Cemetery Stroll

Today is All Saints' Day, an important holiday to a very devout Catholic Nouvelle Orleans. Apparently, people come out to the graves of their loved ones and throw little parties with Jambalaya and drinks.  Surprise, surprise; New Orleans finds a reason to party. This afternoon, before the raucous remembrances, I walked around a cemetery on majestic, live oak-lined Esplanade Avenue. This town is so beautiful in its crumbly decay, it's almost overwhelming.  But I love it.