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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!! :)

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Donna OC, CA

Alexis, Greta asked to we comment on your blog or "Greta sent me." Everyone watched the aftermath of Katrina in New Orleans and we were saddened by the devastation. Hopefully the new Governor will help bring the city back but as the Mayor was reelected I cannot but help wonder. . . . Why were you in New Orleans?

May 20, 2008 at 4:51 am

In CA Dreamin'

Alexis... a note from a Greta blogger; great bittersweet story about the Carey driver. All the best, Susan

May 20, 2008 at 4:39 am

iamjudi/so cal

hi alexis, just came over from gretawire as your blog came higly recommended. glad you got a chance to go and visit new orleans also and to keep us informed.

May 20, 2008 at 4:33 am

Jay M

Greta sent me here!

May 20, 2008 at 4:33 am

Annie D.

Alexis, Your portrait of New Orleans was as upbeat as the people and situations you describe. It was my home for 55 years, and I truly thought I would never live anywhere else. The spirit of New Orleans is unique, combined with the history, the wonderful food and the capacity of its people to show love and friendship. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. By the way, I am a loyal GretaWire fan, and she gave her bloggers a link to you, too.

May 20, 2008 at 4:28 am

Susie In Denver

Alexis - Greta would like you to know that she enjoyed meeting you too.

May 20, 2008 at 3:39 am

Polly Đ♥

I've been to New Orleans twice and it was a wonderful city. I plan to return. Greta sent me to your blog.

May 20, 2008 at 3:07 am

Ray from AZ

Alexis, I'm a Greta Wire blogger, and Greta, asked that we leave a blog with you. your right a lot of Families that lived in New Orleans, are now living else where, such a here in Arizona...Have met a lot of people from there and they say they would not go back for fear of history repeating it self. To alot of them it was a harrowing experience that they would not want to repeat...

May 20, 2008 at 3:04 am

Ivalon Fox

Greta sent me..............and I enjoyed reading your report.

May 20, 2008 at 3:03 am

gary scott

Even before Katrina, New Orleans would be a slum outside its present location. Only the port is valuable.

May 20, 2008 at 2:58 am

Annita

Hi, this is my first visit to your page, and I will be back, Greta said to tell you she send me LOL and by the way, I like Governor Bobby Jindal too, he sounds wonderful and so dedicated, too bad he won't be a candidate for VP, but I totally understand that he is standing by his promise to rebuild his state , we need more honest and dedicated politicians like him, greetings from Tucson

May 20, 2008 at 2:52 am

pony

I tried to get them over here they are having so much fun they are drunk on it. Ahhh, well,that's life and that's all there is to it!

May 20, 2008 at 2:44 am

Suzy

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!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our hopes go out to all the folks in New Orleans. I know people from all over the world do want to see the city rise up again. The rest of us at Gretas blog would love to hear individual stories from the folks of New Orleans. I know that whenever we see posts about excessive spending like the 845 Billion given to the UN by Obama we are incenced that the charity has not begun at home in places like New orleans.

May 20, 2008 at 2:38 am

Janet

I am a Greta blogger from Alabama .... I just wanted to say HELLO!!!!..............

May 20, 2008 at 2:37 am

Kathy

Greta Van Susteran sent me over to pass along her greetings. Nice to meet you Alexis. Hey, better luck with your flight next time, but congrats on meeting Greta. She's a true professional who has managed to maintain a down-to-earth, easy going style that I admire very much. She treats everybody with respect, yet she isn't afraid to be tough when she feels the need. The bonus for me is that I almost always agree with her opinions. :-) Again, Alexis, Hi from Greta!

May 20, 2008 at 2:34 am

Ronna

Alexis Team up with Greta. She can get you there and back on a direct flight! A Greta Wire fan

May 20, 2008 at 2:21 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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