Thinking of New Orleans

N'awlins, to which I've visited on three different occasions, is one of my favorite U.S. cities, and it was pummeled by torrential rain and wind by Hurricane Katrina today. As the news and pictures online tell of the damage that this natural disaster brought, I am saddened to think of the long-lasting devastation this will mean for New Orleans and its people as poverty is so prevalent and the city thrives on its tourism, a city of some of the best food I've ever had - crawfish etoufee at Mother's, half-shell oysters at the Acme Oyster House, old-school jazz at the Preservation Hall, home of the powder-sugared pastry the beignet with a cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde, indescribable muffaletta sandwiches. Thank goodness, the Superdome provided sufficient shelter for so many of the New Orleans population who could not evacuate in time. I pray that New Orleans will be able to recover soon.