New Orleans is knowing your neighbor. It’s being able to knock on a door and ask for some Café Du Monde coffee in that strange yellow package. It’s knowing that your neighbor isn’t just the person who lives right next door but every person you encounter in this strange city. New Orleans is your eighty six year old aunt. It’s being able to call her and find out how life is down in the Quarter. It’s knowing about how she walked out on her stoop to grab the paper, but instead came upon a man peeing in public. New Orleans is going to a beautiful historic building five days out of the week. It’s being able to go to an institution that doesn’t necessarily look like an institution. New Orleans is having a line of royalty in your family without being British. It’s being able to wear a crown and fancy dress and have fun with loved ones. All of these things have made me who I am, and all of these things are truly New Orleans.
Sam, age 17