New Orleans is a city full of culture and life. It is one of the coolest places in the world. It's a city that has more festivals than days in the year and the most devoted football fans you'll ever see. New Orleans is unlike any other city. It's a place that you can't forget once you've left (as if you'd want to). Once you do leave, you'll miss it almost immediately. There are literally a million reasons to love this crazy city, and here are some of mine.
There is ALWAYS something to do.
Whether you want to relax or go wild, in New Orleans it's easy to find something to do no matter what mood you're in. New Orleans has everything from art markets and a constant supply of live music, to famous bars and haunted tours. And there's almost always a celebrity in town to track down if you're ever feeling creepy or investigative. You can go anywhere in New Orleans and be totally satisfied. With all of the cool things that each part of the city has to offer, it's impossible to be bored on any given day and unforgivable to stay in at night.
Um, hello? The food.
It's no secret that New Orleans has some pretty awesome food. I'm convinced that you could spend a lifetime in New Orleans and still not have tried all of the restaurants that New Orleans has to offer, but of course you could try. There are amazing places all over the city: uptown, downtown, the bywater, the business district, you name it. There is so much good food available to everyone that there's no reason to go to the same restaurant twice, but they're all so good that you'll revisit almost every restaurant you try anyway.
The feel and culture of New Orleans is incomparable to the rest of the world.
I'll be honest with you. New Orleans is just plain weird. But that's what's great about it. It's full of different people who do different things. It never gets stuffy. After living in New Orleans for a year, I can honestly say I've been exposed to things I never thought I would see. Living in New Orleans allows you to expand your perspective on life. It gets you out of your comfort zone and forces you to try new things. It's diverse. Living in a city full of such variety makes you want to embody a little piece of every culture you encounter.
Finally, the people.
I have met some of the most inspiring and interesting people I've ever known in New Orleans. Every person you meet has a story that you want. They are the people that have been shaped by the city, and it shows. They're the people you can meet on the streetcar and talk to the whole way home, or the people you will end up spending Mardi Gras with. I have met my absolute favorite people in this place. Whether they are from New Orleans or on the journey of the city like me, they have the city in them. That's why you love them.
New Orleans isn't a place you live in. It's an experience you have. I've been away for one week, and all I can say is that I can't wait to be back.
