New Orleans French Quarter photos Photo Gallery by Bonita Waesche at pbase.com

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Bonita Waesche | profile | all galleries >> New Orleans French Quarter photos

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New Orleans French Quarter photos

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Bourbon St balcony at Mardi Gras	St Louis Cathedral New Orleans	Jax Brewery New Orleans	St Louis Cathedral 11	City Park 31	City Park 25
City Park 28	French Quarter Balcony 2	Kolb 107	French Quarter doorways 15	Bourbon Street 203

comment |

cheryl pique		21-May-2010 14:35
Bonita your work is fabulous, I love the Quarter photos, I lived in the Quarter from 1968 to 1973 it brings back great memories.

Guest		04-Nov-2006 05:43
I understand. The people of Louisiana have experienced far too much from both of these storms. I could not believe how devastated the area just south of I10 near City Park appeared when we drove through in route to Alabama in April this year. Entire neighborhoods were complete ghost towns. The business area close to Jazz Town was completely abandoned as well. No sign of life anywhere. It was strange to see a once vibrant area so empty. Apartment complexes completely vacated, abandoned cars along the street, some flipped over and again buildings; it looked like a war zone. In June we drove through Metarie just north of City Park and witnessed the distinct water lines at roof/eave level. Also, the now well known painted markings on homes and businesses denoting the contents and number of bodies inside. Much of that area was well under water and left us silent along the drive down to the Quarter. We noticed businesses with "now hiring" signs promising $12.00 an hour, and later were told about the housing and price increases. It was clear that the employers could not offer near enough to lure people to stay and work. It was very depressing to see this once thriving city so empty. It sounds like your family, friends and community got hit really hard. My heart goes out to you guys. I completely understand your comment about retirement. My husband and I have had similar thoughts. We are native to Southeast Texas and, until huricane Rita, were quite content to live here until we died. Rita changed our minds and caused us to rethink many aspects of our lives. If we ever get to retire, our current thoughts are to move away from this place. We both have evacuated for every storm that was even near here, and have accepted this fact all of our life, until now. The thought of losing everything and starting over was quite overwhelming. Earlier this year we were car shopping and were seriously considering purchasing a mini-van so that evacuation would be easier on us. We did purchase a new vehicle in May, but it wasn't a mini-van. We decided that gas milege (and the cost increase) was a bigger factor in our daily life than the outside chance that we'd have to evacuate again. Of course, we have also discussed the various natural disasters that can happen in other parts of the country. It seems that every region has something, blizzards, tornados, earthquakes, mudslides, flooding, etc. So are we jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire? I don't know what the immediate solution is, but I do know that God is going to continue to take care of us whether we live or die here or someplace else. He has reminded us thru Katrina and Rita, that our dependance should be on Him as He continues to provide all of our needs and carry us thru these rough times. Oh by the way, my Aunt is selling her home. I think Katrina really hit her kinda hard emotionally. It probably is better that she is selling so next time she won't have to worry about whether or not a tree went thru her roof or if her house is still standing after a storm. Katrina and Rita sure changed alot of lives! God Bless!

Bonita Waesche		03-Nov-2006 13:42
The economic impact of Katrina and Rita on LA. is tremendous. It is so sad that the small business owners have been crippled too. I am a native of New Orleans, but I don't want to live here after retirement. The elderly can't run from storms and with our wetlands disappearing, the gulf is getting closer and closer.

Guest		03-Nov-2006 04:06
We will continue to keep you folks in our prayers. My 80 yr old Aunt lives in Thibadaux and came to our house in Texas when Katrina had LA in her "sights." She stayed with us for 2 weeks. She was blessed with only tree damage, limbs down, etc. Then in September Huricane Rita decided that Texas was the place to be, so my husband and I evacuated with my Mom to Tyler, then to my Aunt's home and stayed there for two weeks. Our area was not removed from the map as Cameron and Holly Beach were, but nearby Sabine Pass looked alot like them. We too are still in the recovery stages, but have almost 85% of our buildings repaired. Of course, some had to be torn down. Many people here are still having economic woes. Signs are posted that area businesses need help, but alot of people didn't come back after they evacuated. Some businesses have closed because they just couldn't get enough workers to keep open, or they had sustained too much damage to their buildings. As you may have experienced, the insurance companies seem to have loop holes for everything needed. Many people are wondering why they even bother to have insurance, since the policies don't seem to cover true needs. It is very frustrating for many. Housing is limited, and many apartment complexes were damaged beyond repair. We are seeing quite a few vacant lots where homes or businesses once stood. When the 2006 Huricane season was upon us, we heard many people who evacuated say they wouldn't do it again (it took us 20 hours to get to Tyler; a 5 hr trip at most normally). Then the people who stayed have said that they wouldn't do that again either. I hope that these experiences do cause people to put their lives at risk. We will leave again, despite a 20 hr drive! We will keep you and your family and community in our prayers. It will take time, but we can all put our lives back together and help each other along the way. Take care and thanks for sharing...

Bonita Waesche		03-Nov-2006 00:47
Everyone in this area had detrimental effects from this storm. They either got a tree in their homes or flooded or had family members whose lives were devastated. We were lucky because our home is elevated with the garage underneath. The tidal surge blew out the breakaway walls and everything underneath (my freezer was about a quarter of a mile away)and we had sheetrock damage from the ruined roof. In Slidell, my nephew and his wife lost everything they owned and my 87 yr old dad flooded too...both had property which had never flooded before. Dad was 12ft above sea level. On Oct 30,2005, my neighbor's house burned to the ground, the cause was never determined except for wet electrical in the garage on the ground level. We watched in horror as the flames quickly consumed a relatively new house. They narrowly escaped with their lives, their beloved choc lab was crying in the garage about 1am which awakened Nick, when he opened the back door to his house to check on Abby, the backdraft blew him back into the house. He went back for sweet Abby but falling debris kept him out of the garage. The memories still haunt them as the one yr anniversary has just passed and emotionally they can't rebuild. Katrina is still taking its toll on the elderly. My dad, who was still mentally sharp, has failed greatly post K. He is still rehanging sheetrock in his house and is too stubborn to let strangers help and too stubborn to sell it. Please keep the people of this area in your prayers.

Guest		02-Nov-2006 03:05
Thanks for your quick response. Took several photos of the Cathedral last Saturday, but in the evening. Its a bit of a stretch for us to get into the Quarter at 6 a.m., but obviously worth it as your photos prove. Did you have any damage from Katrina or Rita? Thanks again for the comments...

Bonita Waesche		02-Nov-2006 01:51
The cathedral was shot at 6am at the end of July. I was waiting on the dais for the sun to come up a little more so that I could photograph two gentlemen for the cover for Financial Advisor Magazine October 2006 issue. The church looked so beautiful in the early light that I repositioned the cam off of them and onto the church. There were a few sleeping homeless on the benches near me. I had to wait until they awoke before we could use the benches in a shot. The city and its inhabitants continue to suffer so much post Katrina. The problems and too numerous and too costly. I feel it will be a decade before the city can stand strong again. The Pontalba building to the left of the cathedral was awaiting its new slate roof which was stacked high on the walkway between the square and the Pontalba. Thanks for your compliment. Bonita

Guest		01-Nov-2006 05:37
Been in "Love" with New Orleans for 30 years! We try to visit often and have been back twice since Katrina; most recently, last weekend. It's good to see the city "coming back," but many of our regular stops are no longer open. That was a sad reality, but I understand lease values have doubled and housing is still in short supply and very expensive also. What time of day were the Cathedral shots taken? I don't think I've ever seen without alot of people and/or traffic. Love your work.....

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