We had a year that challenged us more than in recent memory and New Orleans French Quarter is no exception. Many residents are having to move out as landlords raise rents or convert apartment space to more profitable guesthouses, condos and corporate space. The character of the Quarter is fading fast. Restaurants often rent apartments as guesthouses off the books illegally and this was going on years before 9/11/2001. Now with the recession hitting everyone's pocketbooks and tourism in general taking a direct hit, many French Quarter hotels, restaurants and even cabbies and tarot card readers are hurting badly. We will have the Superbowl and Mardi Gras which always help, but will it be enough? Get some good prices here to make reservations online.
Meanwhile, we face a mayoral election next year and have more candidates running than ever. One disturbing one, to my thinking, is our police commissioner who actually was able to take PAID leave costing us taxpayers thousands of dollars, so he can run. All this as we face possible terrorism as our city is in the international spotlight with SuperBowl and Mardi Gras overlapping. Do you think I will be voting for him? These are some of the frustrating things we locals talk about over beers at Pat O's. But, speaking of Pat O's, they are doing well enough to be opening a new one on Beale Street in Memphis!
Mardi Gras officially begins on January 6 with king cakes and carnival balls throughout the city.Mardi Gras is February 12, 2002. Here are some more dates:
2002 ... February 12
2003 ... March 4
2004 ... February 24
2005 ... February 8
2006 ... February 28
2007 ... February 20
2008 ... February 5
2009 ... February 24
2010 ... February 16
Can't make it to New Orleans? Miss the excitement of the Quarter and want to see what's going on? Why not visit a French Quarter web cam and check out the action.BeadCam - Most active during Mardi Gras they decided to keep it up all year, offers a good view of Bourbon Street. Or how about the ZoomCam where you control the camera!
I hope the next year holds promise for us all. For a FREE copy of the "New Orleans Good Times Guide," complete with a lodging guide and $2400 in discounts on shopping, dining, attractions, and more call toll free 1-800-474-8167.
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