August 29 2005 - Remembered.

On this day in 2005 Hurricane Katrina claimed the lives of nearly 2000 people and changed the lives of millions, many for good in the cities and states of South Eastern North America. 
Much is said about the cause, the effects and the people to blame for Katrina but whichever way you look at it and however many people were lost this was a natural disaster. 

Nothing will bring people or their minds, belongings or lifestyle back but today people everywhere should just give some thought to Mother Nature and the devastation she can cause. 

I have great friends in and around New Orleans and have had the pleasure of visiting the city twice in the last three years. It's a strong city it has survived and most has been rebuilt and reshaped mainly due to the spirit and determination of the people.

Over the years since I have had friends in New Orleans, all made through this blogging platform - I have written a little something about Katrina in the hope that we learn from it in some way. They can all be found if you look but a lot of the links are broken and can you believe that the exact same area just 12 months ago were expecting Tropical Storm Isaac to copy the path of Katrina from 2005. Fortunately Isaac passed by without inflicting too much 'trouble'! Feel free to look here though, if you want.

Thank you for reading and remembering.

I was lucky enough to revisit New Orleans after having visited in 2010 and WOW!!! are they doing well!! Of course there is still things to be done, that goes without saying but the overall dynamic of the city and importantly its people is forever upward. I was lucky enough to be there for Mardi Gras, arguably the world's biggest party and really should be on every person's bucket list of things to do before they die.

However that is for another time..... 

I would like to share some pictures with you of the most tranquil and beautiful place in the whole of the city, where even the distinctive rattle of the street cars is drowned out by the singing of the birds! No I don't know how that happens either!! Trust me though it does!!

THE NEW ORLEANS KATRINA MEMORIAL

There is of course a totally different side to New Orleans and so for some less serious pictures 
*CLICK HERE*