Every city has flaws, but this visitor also found beauty in New Orleans

On May 8, my wife and I flew into New Orleans. My last visit to the city was when I was 5. I turn 71 in June.

We live in Richmond, Virginia. Our cities share some similarities.

Rivers are central to our landscapes. You have the Mississippi, we have the James.

Statues from the Civil War created some interesting dynamics in our cities when decisions were made to remove them.

Sections of Richmond and New Orleans have been revitalized with restaurants, shops and craft breweries.

Collegiate life at Tulane, Loyola, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond adds to the diversity of our communities.

You have the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; we have the Richmond Folk Festival.
Beautiful homes are found in your Garden District and the Fan in Richmond.

Clearly, I could drone on, but each city also has challenges.

Neither city has immunity from issues surrounding affordable housing, the homeless, safety, equity, public education and infrastructure upkeep.

Aside from one day of streetcar use, we walked everywhere. I can’t believe that one of us didn’t roll an ankle on multiple imperfections found on sidewalks.

My old heart hurt when we came upon a homeless person zonked out on the hard concrete at the entrance to a dilapidated building.

Despite these concerns, we also encountered genuine hospitality.

A streetcar driver ensured that we departed at the correct stop for Audubon Park.

We spent an entire day at the National WWII Museum. Every staff member was courteous, helpful and patient.

No matter where our appetites took us, diverse and knowledgeable waitstaffs gave us graceful guidance.

Reluctantly when our trip was over, we flew back home.

Since returning, pitching New Orleans has been my mantra.

Thanks, and I hope we can return someday.

BILL PIKE
Richmond, Virginia

Author’s note: In May 2024, we traveled to New Orleans. This letter was published in the Times-Picayune on June 19, 2024.