In a world of modernization, New Orleans refuses to let go of its history. There is an undying dedication to preserving the cultural history and identity that so differentiates it from the rest of the country. Why is it that while most of the world runs away from anything regarding the past in terms of style, mentality, architectural design, etc., New Orleans embraces the debutante balls, generationally run companies, streetcars, ethnically traditional recipes, and the centuries old oak trees that exist so embedded in the city’s history?
The mentality of the city is definitely both economically wise and culturally intelligent. The demise of many cities around the country is conformity. After all, why would anyone be interesting in a place that has nothing new to offer you—that is the monotonous normalcy one seeks to escape in traveling someplace new? That novelty, which isn’t novel at all, is key to what makes New Orleans tick. These unique traditions, such as Mardi Gras, traditionalist French cuisine, jazz street music, and the French Quarter all help to fuel New Orleans’s incredible tourism industry. Indeed, people from around the world flock to New Orleans in order to experience the atmosphere, energy, and quirks that only this city possesses, and this irrefutable genuineness that New Orleans has is what keeps it thriving and relevant in a world racing to move on to the next new thing. |
Therefore, the city has taken many precautions to ensure that this history is preserved. The centuries-old oak trees that line St. Charles street are prevented by law to be cut down, one of the unfortunate reasons we have such terrible roads with potholes and cracks in the road, but the fortunate reason why when one looks up on St. Charles Street, they see a thick canopy of glinting bead-laced branches with blue sky (accompanied by perfect weather of course) peeking through. Some ancient fine dining restaurants, such as Galatoire’s, Antoine’s, and Commander’s Palace also maintain traditions by requiring men to wear suits and blazers and women dresses or other acceptable formal wear in order to patron the restaurants, where they serve ethnic French cuisines like turtle soup, Banana’s Foster, and Coquilles St. Jacques.
Additionally, new legislature has passed to preserve the delicate French-Spanish architecture of the houses in Uptown and Downtown New Orleans so that none of the intricate crown molding, extravagant exteriors, and detailed furniture work that has been the fascination of interior decorators and architects alike get turned into only that of nostalgic reminiscence and idealized myth. |
The houses of New Orleans definitely represent the interesting and sometime shocking dichotomy that so well characterizes the city itself: the exteriors reflecting the dedication to the historical roots, but the interiors indicative of the modern times we live in. this is an excellent opportunity to clear up a misconception: although New Orleans is sometimes accused of living in the past, it is a modern city that serves the needs of today.
However, more importantly, New Orleans is a source of immense pride to its citizens. As a native New Orleanian who was born and raised driving down Tchopitoulas Street and eating beignets from Café Du Mode, there is an intangible magic that seeps into our blood and makes this city unforgettable and certainly incomparable. Everyone is family in New Orleans (figuratively and many times literally) and celebration needs no cause. All that makes New Orleans special, whether it is the diversity in cultures, cuisine, and extremely friendly and familial attitudes of the inhabitants, leaves a lasting impact that makes every other place in the country seem bland in comparison. Our culture, our quirks, is our hot sauce—our firecracker flavor. |