I don't think people know how to get out of there - and I know they do not have the funds

Wrong I believe. Note the "I don't think". Everyone back had to make a decision to come back since everyone left at the end was forcibly evaced at gunpoint, regardless of circumstances (some few good).  Most still visit first before returning, finding places to stay (often a sofa or sleeping bag in a friends hallway or "one more" in a FEMA trailer).

And "I can't take it anymore" and leaving again is quite common (as are suicides).

But there is also determination and a willingness to help and incrediably high levels of civic involvement.  I am in the 20% that was not destroyed (burned out block accross the street) and do all that I can to help.  Being "out of the loop' for 1.5 months has hurt.

hen I left 1.5 months ago to help my father, the US Army had removed 70% of the debris.  Rats were a problem.  Somewhat better today.  The tourist areas are clean, 3 city employees were assigned yesterday to put damaged street signs back up.  They hope to be finished in a year. "Stop" and "One Way" signs first priority.

There is a determined effort to keep crime down, Nat'l Guard is patrolling the drowned areas with minimal habitation and NOPD does the areas that didn't drown and those coming back strong.  Yesterday, NG shot and killed someone.  Didn't catch details.

Reopening schools are a mixed bag.  Catholic OK, some charter schools (new) are doing well, others are not.  State takeover schools are off to a bumpy start but seem headed in the right direction.  Remaining public schools can't get their act together but perhaps with time.  All in all, education will definitely improve !

Welcoming home a friend that evaced tonight, her first night back :-)  She may be 3 or 4 months away from moving back into her drowned home (staying at friends with inflatable mattress).  An MD so she is not a "have not" and medical care is perhaps our most important lack.

A shock for those coming from a suburban bubble (we were shocking before Katrina :-), but people can and will adapt.  This unique city is well worth the degraded standard of living, pain, struggle and effort !  All those that came back believe this.

As I told my father, I would rather live in a shack in New Orleans w/o indoor plumbing than a mansion in Phoenix !

BTW, I drink the water all the time (coffee a few inches away).  I have used drinking fountains in the drowned areas.  Potable water leakage is slowly being fixed.  1.5 months ago teh ratio was 2 gallons leak for every one used.  Water pressure for fire fighting is slowly being restored.

Best Hopes,

Alan