Drainage in New Orleans has been a major concern since the founding of the city. It is completely surrounded by water – Lake Pontchartrain lies to the north, Lake Borgne and wetlands to the east and west, and the Mississippi River to the south. Much of this place lies at or below sea level, and rainfall must either evaporate or be pumped out. When strong winds blow and hard rains fall, the city always faces the threat of floods, most notably during its most catastrophic drainage event – Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The city still bears traces of the damage. This image does not show water damage itself, but it does imply an awareness of the constant threat posed by drainage issues. The rubber boots, incongruously tossed into the bed of a local bar’s pick up truck, offers a symbol of such readiness. The French Quarter itself is reflected in the window, while the name of the bar’s famous host restaurant – Antoine’s – is emblematic of the city itself.