Well, they've done a lot of rebuilding. When I went 12 or 13 months after, most stores had not yet re-opened. I was there last weekend, and it is better. But there is still glass missing in windows, and certain neighborhoods are still in tatters--like the ones I saw last Monday when I went for an appointment. Some of that stuff looked awful, and a lot of the pumps that keep the streets from flooding hadn't been repaired in some areas. That day (the 22nd), it rained for a full 24 hours and cops were having to drag cars through intersections. The big tourist areas--and my favorites--have received a lot of attention, but so many others haven't. Generally, though, the center of the city has really bounced back. If more people were willing to come visit and see the life in the city, like you saw for yourself, there would be more of an effort to rebuild the rest.

So glad you guys had a great time! I really envy you the Voodoo Fest tickets. :)