Watching Studio60

I spent Thanksgiving in New Orleans - flew down Wednesday and flew home Monday. I had a good time - walked the French Quarter from end to end, and sideways, took a swamp tour, a plantation tour and found lots of good food.
I have to say, I was a little disappointed with the French Quarter. In my mind I was expecting more romance, more mystique, more metaphysical and infinitly more live Jazz. Instead I got commercialism extraordinaire, kareoke bars, piped rock music and on Sunday morning the wonderful smell of urine. In all fairness, there was a big game in town and many many people invaded the city. So much so that the police blocked off the streets to traffic on Saturday evening. We heard that there were many druken brawls and the evidence was all over the streets on Sunday. However, that being said, I was a little diappointed with the overall impression I got. I understand that New Orleans is a city recovering from a major disaster, but I do not think the “in your face” commercailism can be blamed on Katrina.
We watched a wonderful movie at the Imax called “Hurricane on the Bayou” which featured Tab Benoit and a young violinist called Amanda Shaw. It was well done and extremely moving. We passed on the Katrina Tours however - choosing the Swamp tour instead. That was wonderful despite the condescending manner of the tour guide. Give him his due - he was very knowledgable and obviously loved the swamp, but I just couldn’t get over his overbearing manner. Shame because the swamp is a beguiling place. We saw alligators, snakes, turtles and lizards, all in natural habitate, without a big eared mouse in sight!!!!
I dont think I will return to New Orleans, unless it is to volunteer to help rebuild the city. I am done as a tourist - but if anybody goes there, be sure to check out Oceano on the corner of Bourbon and Conti. The food is fantastic - especially the Crab Cakes, the waiters friendly and the prices very reasonable. We had Thanskgiving dinner there and our last night’s meal too, and by the end of it all we not only had our special table, but felt like family. It is great.