I miss going to New Orleans!
It was interesting. I spent the first days chillaxing in the Lower Garden District in a VRBO then went to Canal St/French Quarter for a conference hotel and was absolutely disgusted by the city. Bourbon St to be avoided at all costs. Then one night we went down to Frenchman St though music was everywhere --- there was lots of filth and smoke and weed everywhere.
I'm from the country and am not as comfortable (desensitized?) with dirty gross streets and the homeless problems of a big city.
We came back from Frenchman, and it had been raining, and I had my Merrell sandals on (think Tevas). After being in the hotel room a few minutes I was all, "Ew. W.T.F. is that smell." MY SANDALS AND FEET! Urine smell, alcohol, rot/stank, and detritus.
BUT - Garden District was wonderful with good food, community, and the buildings!