Fourteen days in one city seems enough for a vacation, but for a place to feel like home? The amount of time I’ve been here can't be long enough to be this comfortable. I already know that four months is not going to be long enough for me to be satisfied. The thought of leaving already makes me ache. What is it about this city that invigorates me so much? There is a life about New Orleans that I’d be hard-pressed to find in many other places. There is something about these people that makes this city so alive. A place can only be as worthy as it’s occupants, for they set the scene that is New Orleans. Be it positive or negative, a person’s attitude will affect the nature of the city. My experience of New Orleans is influenced by the people I meet and interact with.
While one of my first impressions of the city was one most would use as an example of an offensive experience, I tend to look at it as another layer to this already rich city. Maybe it's not the most welcome impression, but I don't think my view can be colored by just one experience. I was test-riding a bike from bicycle Michael’s, located on Frenchmen. Of course, my knowledge of the city and sense of direction were lacking at the time and I got lost. I turned down one street feeling confused and a little anxious to find my way back and passed two younger teenage girls. Being the person I am and following the precedent of a friend of mine who had lived here a year ago, I did a "hello" nod and smiled. Apparently, they weren't in the same frame of mind as I and shot a few rude comments, one including a sarcastic, "nice bike, bitch." while the comment took me off guard, I just kind of ignored it and rode on, thinking for sure, my bike riding career was now over.
The more I thought about this very isolated event, the more I realized, not everyone is out to make my experience here a bad one. I ride my bike around everywhere, as it is my only mode of transport, and I love it. In fact, every time I wave, smile, or shout a "how ya'll doin?" at people around the city, everyone responds graciously with the same enthusiastic reply. This particular interaction with the locals of New Orleans was a bit disheartening. I am able to look at it as a rare moment, for I have had too many gratifying experiences to let this one mean too much.
While this place is it's own setting, the people are there to complete its scene. The people of New Orleans, whether local or just passing through, are going to make an impression on the city and affect the way it is viewed. For better or worse, this city is what it is. I cannot take seriously the unpleasant things that happen here for they are so remote. I still cannot ignore these unpleasantries either, as I realize both good and bad situations will make up my view of a place. Regardless of the good and the bad, I cannot change the fact that New Orleans feels like home for me.
