Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 9 · column 3 of 5 · from the scan, no model involved
“We’re here!”
At the comer of Filmore and Catina, the street sign looks unusual. The flood that wrecked so many homes also swept away many street signs; numerous intersections remain unmarked even now. So, those who live near Filmore Avenue and Catina street simply made their own sign. If the reader will permit, we will let this homemade street sign represent New Orleans a year after the deluge. The colors are more interesting than those of just about any town; the spirit that set an anonymous citizen to work with saws and screws and paint brushes still glimmers across the diminished city; as if to announce: “we’re still here”.
The food is still great in the French Quarter, and other parts unaffected by the high water. The streetcars are still running (please do not call them trolleys). Caf6 Degas is still jammed of a Sunday on the Esplanade. The ferry across the river at the foot of Canal Street is still a free ride and runs regularly. Bourbon Street’s cheap tourist-trap bars are still lighted and noisy - but there are few customers.
Anyone is welcome to work for Habitat or any number of agencies that are helping people get back into their homes. Many Americans from all regions of the country show up at these sites, having paid for their own air tickets, hotel rooms, (a super-bargain these days) and rental cars. If you go you will find good food, very friendly people, higher-than-usual crime in some areas, and lots of talk about the hurricane and the flood, about survival and contractors and rebuilding and families here and there. You will hear a lot of talk about the professional football team, the Saints. What you won’t hear is New Orleans being called “The Big Easy”. Not anymore.
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