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  • May 19, 2008 07:48 PM EDT by Alexis Glick

    Symbols of New Orleans

    It's just about 6 p.m. and I am now on my way back home from New Orleans. It has been such a busy and exciting couple of days. I arrived in New Orleans at noon yesterday and now I am en route to Dallas on my way back to New York. Flying to and from New Orleans on direct flights was impossible. The flights were booked solid. I had to fly through Houston on my way down.

    So time for honest observations and behind the scenes gossip!!! :)

    First of all, I finally had the pleasure of meeting Greta Van Susteren. I'm a big fan! Think she's a great interviewer and has a natural curiosity that makes her a terrific journalist. She's very cool and I admire her incredibly strong work ethic! If you haven't seen her blog, check it out.

    Second, I'm glad that I got to go back to New Orleans, even if it was only for 24 hours. There is something so special about this city. I know this is going to sound strange but the environment and the way people communicate and embrace one another reminds me of living in New York City after 9/11. It's clear that their lives have changed. Hurricane Katrina will always be a part of them. They're very humble and very gracious. They are doing all that they can to rebuild and they welcome tourists with such warmth. They have this spirit and energy that says we're going to rise up and be stronger, even if it takes us ten years to get there.

    On Friday, before I arrived in New Orleans, I interviewed the newly elected Governor Bobby Jindal. What a superb person! What he has accomplished in four months is unthinkable! He has so much energy and enthusiasm. He is a man on a mission! He reminds me of the Energizer Bunny....he keeps going and going and going. Depsite all the rumors and speculation, I don't think McCain will select him as his vice presidential candidate. Jindal is the newly elected chief executive of the state and the Crescent City needs his full attention. He brings hope and optimism, the business knowledge and drive to create and encourage business development. The greatest risk he has is that he doesn't continue to deliver at the pace that he has been delivering. As far as I can see, the people are thrilled to have him as governor.

    The story that touched me the most and the one that I will never forget was meeting Carmel, a driver with Carey, a local car company. He was an older gentleman. Had the most honest eyes and warmest disposition. He told me stories about his family. He has eleven kids and thirty seven grandchildren! He grew up in New Orleans. It's home for him. After the hurricane, his family spread out to find new jobs, new homes and proper schooling for their kids. None of his family members have returned back to New Orleans -- they remain in places like Atlanta, Houston and Baton Rouge. They now spend only holidays together.

    Carmel's story is the norm now in New Orleans. Families, generations of families that lived down the block from one another now live hundreds of miles away from one another. They have created new lives and put down new roots. It's sad to see the change. For the ones that came home, family is about making new friends and creating new families. Together, they hope they can bring New Orleans back. I know they will!! :)

RSS Subscribe to Comments

Debbie in Mentor, KY

Knock, Knock, Knock, (three times, right?). Now open the little peep hole in the door while I whisper, "Greta sent me."

May 20, 2008 at 9:03 am

CAL NC

Ugh What a long way to go..Dallas to NY, yuck! Enjoyed your article! Hello from GretaWire Fan!!

May 20, 2008 at 9:03 am

madeline

Hey Alexis, Greta sent me over to say hello. Glad you had a good time in New Orleans. Sorry you had to go the long way home. But anyway, hello, and have a very good day!!

May 20, 2008 at 9:01 am

Rodger

Greta ordered us to do this. We are all in her control. Please save us.

May 20, 2008 at 8:50 am

Nos Mo King

Morning, Greta suggested a stop here at your blog to say hello and to share how grateful we are that you finally got home. YAY! Glad you met Greta - wish I could too she is awesome. New Orleans will rise again ;-) Hello and Happy Tuesday ;-) Have a super day ;-)

May 20, 2008 at 8:50 am

Connie from Ohio

Alexis...Greta sent me.. :) How lucky can you get, you met Greta!!! We all would like that privilege..BTY, nice story from New Orleans..Have a great day and be safe.

May 20, 2008 at 8:48 am

Mareezy

HI Alexis- I just wanted to let you know I liked the story about Katrina. Good luck with the blog. I hope you have a way of preventing name-jacking as that was always a problem on Greta's blog... To Mary in Tampa and David Lawson, I will post on this blog from now on as there are some people on Gretawire who love to do what G Bush has done and extirpate dissent. Obama/ Hagel '08

May 20, 2008 at 8:39 am

Silver

Greta sent me. Good morning! :)

May 20, 2008 at 8:34 am

Diane

Hi Alexis... I too lived in New Orleans for 2 years in the late 80's. I was truly awed by the French Quarter, Preservation Hall and 2 seasons of Mardi Gra. I worked in Chalmette, which was all but destroyed by Katrina. Glad to see Greta bloggers behaving............ Thanks for another look at New Orleans. It needs to be brought back..........

May 20, 2008 at 8:30 am

Lori

Good Morning Greta, Alexis and fellow bloggers, Well, its great to meet everyone here for coffee this AM... Alexis we were asked by Greta to say 'hello', well HELLO. Wishing New Orleans the best - it will come back - I heard the new Govenor is really someone who will attack the problems head on... Well, every one have a great day! See ya later on Gretawire...... :)

May 20, 2008 at 8:17 am

Sean

Good morning, Cool article. I had to say that per Greta's request (kidding) ;-)

May 20, 2008 at 8:15 am

KayB

I am happy to find this blog. Thank you Greta for sending us.

May 20, 2008 at 8:10 am

Ms. Sunset

Alexis, Greta asked us to come & visit your site. I lived on the shores of Lake Pontchatrain & had the greatest view of the most georgeous sunsets ! I sure miss that. I enjoyed reading your post about New Orleans. Glad Greta got to meet up with you !!

May 20, 2008 at 8:07 am

foxrocks

Greta sent me, Greta rocks and so do you.

May 20, 2008 at 7:59 am

Ronnie Reams

Greta sent me to say hey. HEY!!! I'll try to stop by here once in a while.

May 20, 2008 at 7:49 am

Cindie

Good Morning Alexis, Loved your article. The Big Easy...still devastated. It's great that you guys don't let 'outsiders' forget this. KUDOS! P.S. Greta says "hi"

May 20, 2008 at 7:42 am

Dianne

Alexis, Greta asked that we come see your blog. Great article. Your turn to tease Greta some.

May 20, 2008 at 7:36 am

Lynn8

Hi Alexis - Greta asked us to check out your site. Great piece on NOLA. I love it there. I live in Louisiana. Haven't been to N.O. in awhile. Plan to get back there soon. I often compare it to New York City - with it's energy and uniqueness. So many treasures there - every where you look, something different. Oh, and we do love our Greta, too!!!

May 20, 2008 at 7:34 am

Sunshinelvr

I am probably the last one to say "hello" from Greta..but Good Morning! Hope you have a lovely day! Interesting blog.It is sad when families move away from each other. Two of my children moved out of state in the last two years. I miss them and their families deeply. Phone and computer chatting just does not give one the satisfaction one gets with "face-to-face".

May 20, 2008 at 7:28 am

Patricia

Hi there! Stopping in to say "hi" and by the way "Greta sent me"! Great article too, which means "I'll Be Back"! Patricia

May 20, 2008 at 7:07 am

Michele in PIttsburgh

Hi Alexis, Greta sent me! Interesting article. Very sad that people in our own country continue to struggle after the storm.

May 20, 2008 at 7:05 am

susan nc

hello! nice writing.. glad you got to meet greta... she is something isnt she? well just wanted to jump over to say hello

May 20, 2008 at 6:58 am

Dianne in Richmond

Greta sent me from GretaWire! Glad she did. Great article!

May 20, 2008 at 6:18 am

christy

Hey, where are the bloggers? Hi from Greta

May 20, 2008 at 5:47 am

Scott McLeod

Hey ya Greta Sent me ova here! See ya from New Zealand!

May 20, 2008 at 5:00 am

about this blog

  • Alexis Glick is an anchor for FOX Business Network. Prior to joining FOX, Glick served as a correspondent for the Today Show and co-anchored the third hour of that program. Before her stint at NBC News, she was the senior trading correspondent for CNBC and reported from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

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