Walking down the street I hear jazz instruments and see an open instrument case for tips. I see carriages, and people dancing. I smell po boys, and seafood. Nowhere in the world is as special as New Orleans. Whenever somebody asks me where I’m from I feel so proud and cool to say that I’m from New Orleans. New Orleans has so much history and is such a special place, that it makes me feel like the coolest person in the world just to be able to say that I live in New Orleans. My favorite time of the year is Mardi Gras. One year I went out of town for Mardi Gras, and the celebration didn’t come close to comparing to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. All year long I count down the days until I can put on my purple, green, and gold and walk down to the parade route. All of the fabulous floats and drunken new Orleanians make the streets extremely crazy and fun. Swaying my arms in the air screaming “Hey mister throw me something,” and then when the big guys on the floats throw me a pack of beads it’s just so exciting and fun. I love New Orleans so much because there are so many different kinds of interesting people that live here. Football also makes New Orleans special. New Orleanians love the Saints so much, and support them through good or bad. When other cities win, they may be excited, but they don’t have nearly as much spirit and heart in their city as we do in New Orleans. People in New Orleans don’t cry when something bad happens, they cry out of joy when something good happens. We all went through Katrina, and the saints losing games, but nobody gives up on New Orleans because it is so special and unique. When the Saints won the super bowl, fifty percent of students skipped school, and went to the Saints parade. Only New Orleans would have a parade for their football team. The saints aren’t just a football team; they are all special people who bring the city of New Orleans so much joy. Even though the Saints didn’t make it to the super bowl this year, something I like to say is “there’s always last year!” New Orleans has shaped me and made me the person I am today. I love New Orleans so much, and there is no place that I would rather live than here.
- Grace, age 16