Seven members of the AARC were in New Orleans a couple weeks ago for a Drive4COPD screening event. While there, we took the opportunity to make sure the city was ready for the AARC 2012 International Congress in November. This is the first of several reports from our trip.
Hurricane? What hurricane?
One of the things that worried people was the after-effects of Hurricane Isaac. The worst thing we could find was standing water in a few puddles around the airport nearly deep enough to wet the bottom of your shoes, and one broken sign on the top of the hotel we were staying at. Write off Isaac as the biggest New Orleans non-event of the year.
Transportation
Streetcars are a simple way to get around. You can buy an all day pass for $3 to ride up and down Canal Street, along the riverfront, and on St Charles Avenue. The pass will also allow you to use connecting bus service.
Canal Street service goes from the casino out to the cemeteries or to museums. Yes, cemeteries in New Orleans are an interesting place to visit. The Riverfront route can quickly take you from the convention center up to the French Market area for breakfast at Cafe du Monde. Be aware that eating beignets covered in powdered sugar can cause adverse respiratory reactions! DO NOT INHALE when eating a beignet. Finally, the St Charles Avenue route takes you along one of the most scenic routes in the city and will drop you at a number of excellent restaurants. Unfortunately, part of it is under construction, so you will probably need to take a bus to catch up with it further out on the route.