Sunken Treasure

Though the flood waters have receded and life is returning to New Orleans, in a sense the city still remains submerged by the collective force of the hurricanes.  Amidst politicians blowing winds of spin in an effort to obscure their incompetence and callousness, the city long known for its cultural treasures is now being recognized at a distance for its political and economic significance.

The city is a national treasure for its cultural riches alone.

Though the first Europeans to explore Louisiana were the Spanish in the early 1500’s, permanent settlements were not established until the late 1600’s, when the French claimed Louisiana and named it after their king.  It was eventually returned to Spain in the late 1700’s and then again ceded to France in 1800 before finally being bought by the United States in 1803.  The mixture of Spanish and French heritage, along with the influence of the Acadians from Nova Scotia, infuse New Orleans and Louisiana with a culture unique for its food, music, literature, and language.

New Orleans’ vibrancy, tolerance, and low cost of living have inspired and attracted some of the nation’s best writers.  Whether they were born in the city, or later gravitated to it, authors such as Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Walker Percy, Kate Chopin, Mark Twain, and John Kennedy O’Toole made the city their home at some point in their lives.  The city’s panorama of musicians, charlatans, prostitutes, and assorted criminals provided fertile ground for storytelling, but perhaps the underlying appreciation for life’s pleasures was the common tonic of inspiration.

New Orleans will always be known as the birthplace of jazz, which is only one of the musical styles that either were created in the city or partly evolved there.  The city has produced legendary musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Domino, and Professor Longhair, and modern stars such as The Neville Brothers and the Marsalis family.  Whether the notes came from Preservation Hall, rock clubs on Bourbon Street, or small clubs out in the Garden District, the city historically has overflowed with music and rythmic energy.

The New Orleans hunger for life’s riches has been evident as well in the myriad smells and flavors found in its restaurants.  Gulf oysters, gumbo, jambalaya, Andoullie sausage, and a wild assortment of other dishes native to New Orleans reflect well the mix of blood that made The Big Easy the nation’s most distinctive city.