  Louisiana
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real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the Louisiana Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
 6179 Louisiana Tips.8913 Louisiana Photos.0 Louisiana Videos. Louisiana Pages by ClarkRB
Tips 1 - 5 of 5 Louisiana General Tips
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General Tips: Life in Southern Louisiana
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Favorite Thing: When most people think about Louisiana, they think about the nightlife in New Orleans. They also think about Bobby Boucher and Mama on the movie “Waterboy.” But life in Southern Louisiana involves hard working people that have made living along bayous and swamps part of their daily life. Boats are anchored along both sides of a bayou, waiting for their owner to set them sail for today’s catch. Cajun French is spoken with many of the citizens, and to “suck the head” of a crawdad is a common phrase.
Most of the citizens of Southern Louisiana are Cajun. “Laissez les bon temps rouler” describes the average person and their approach on life. “Let the good times roll.” Living in southern Louisiana is hard work, but they don’t forget to let loose at the end of the day and week. A good way to introduce yourself to Louisiana life is to attend the annual Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge, which occurs every May.
Life of course has changed for many since Hurricane Katrina...however a majority of them whistle while they rebuild...because that's the type of people Louisiana has: People that push forward.
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General Tips: Flooding Damage
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Favorite Thing: NOT my favorite thing You may be a bit suprised when you come to Eastern Louisiana. You'll probably be expecting to see houses blown apart. However, that isn't the case. If that is what you're looking for, you should head farther east into Southern Mississippi. I have pages on Biloxi and Bay Saint Louis if that's what you're hoping to find.
That's not to say New Orleans was spared. New Orleans has extensive damage, just a different type. Flooding was the biggest problem here. When the water poured over from Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi river, the city became a lake itself. Many homes were in deep past their roofs under water. Well, the water damage created a mess unprecedented. Everything from rotten food, mold, and water damage made these places virtually useless. So while many structures stand, over 50% is unuseable and will have to be torn down. In St. Bernard Parish, over 90% of all homes will have to be torn down. A similar situation exists in the Ninth Ward section of New Orleans.
One thing you'll see lots of, is debris from houses that have been gutted.
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General Tips: ClarkRB's Louisiana Travel Map
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Favorite Thing: I've been to Louisiana very often, and to be perfectly honest, it is one of the states I have travelled in the most. Here's a map showing my main travel routes. I expose myself to Southern Louisiana more than Northern Louisiana simply because Northern Louisiana lacks the cajun culture and resembles Arkansas more.
If I had to recommend an area of Louisiana most worthy of visit, it would have to be any place south of Interstate 10. Iberia Island and the Jungle Gardens, the Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge, and the cajun restaurants of Houma. The swamps and marshlands are also in the south part of the state. So stay off of Interstate 20, and don't bother going any farther north than Natchitoches. (pronounced NA-KI-TO-CHESS in Texas, but NAK-KI-TISH in Louisiana)
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General Tips: Crank Bridges
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Favorite Thing: Sorry for the blurry picture, I really thought I had a good shot originally. I have yet to see these bridges anywhere else in the USA. These are crank bridges in Houma, and in towns with many bayous and many highways, it is necessary to have many bridges that can lift a road far up to allow those larger boats to pass through.
In terms of dealing with crank bridges, its just everyday life in these parts of Louisiana. If a bridge is in use, there will be a sign letting you know how much farther it is until the next bayou crossing. Crank bridges are very common out here and virtually unused elsewhere.
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General Tips: Hurricane Rita Damage
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Favorite Thing: Not a favorite thing Hurricane Katrina was so destructive that most people seem to forget there was another hurricane that blew through a few weeks after. Hurricane Rita became category 5 strength, and decided to plow into southwestern Louisiana and southeast Texas; a saving grace for the residents of greater New Orleans.
Driving through Louisiana is pretty interesting. Going from east to west, you go through Hurricane Katrina damage, then an area of calm around Lafayette, and its back into Hurricane damage, only this time Rita. Looks like Lake Charles took a beating on this one.
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Join a Discussion cookouts
(1 replies, Friday, Nov 30, 2007, 11:09 PM UTC) shopping in lafayette and new orleans
(1 replies, Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007, 5:53 PM UTC) Advice on visiting NOLA and Thibodaux
(3 replies, Thursday, Apr 5, 2007, 6:09 AM UTC) Be the first to reply to these questions Noodleing Fishing and great fun to be had?
(no replies yet, Saturday, Apr 5, 2008, 9:34 AM UTC) Anyone been to Mamou?
(no replies yet, Sunday, Dec 11, 2005, 7:29 AM UTC) New Orleans activities -Alligator farm
(no replies yet, Sunday, Jul 4, 2004, 4:22 PM UTC) » All Louisiana Posts
» Ask about Louisiana |
 Comments for ClarkRB about Louisiana | | | | |
Bluenun Sun Apr 8, 2007 05:09 UTC
Great pages! Thanks so much. A friend and I are going to Thibodaux 4/15 for a week to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. It's hard to find out much about that part of the state. | am&pm Wed Mar 14, 2007 02:34 UTC
I don't know how I missed this page on Louisiana---really remarkable!! You've done the state a favor "selling it" like you have :) We need all the encouragement you can give and I think you've pegged the best things this state has to offer. Awesome job! | aaaarrgh Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:30 UTC
Fascinating, thoughtful tips, Bobby! According to findyourspot.com, Louisiana is my ideal loaction. Better remember my waders and alligator repellent :-) | la_beba Thu Jun 1, 2006 20:36 UTC
now, there is a fun place! Gotta love Louisiana! |
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on Oct 8, 2006
