Have you ever been to New Orleans? Of course, I’m biased, being that I’m from Louisiana and live in Nola (that’s what we call it down here.) and all. But it is, in my opinion, the most beautiful and unique city in America and I’m in love with it like countless hopelessly romantic teenage girls are in love with Justin Bieber. As our mayor is famous for saying, New Orleans just “gets all up in ya.” And it’s true — this place will infect your soul.
So surely you’d like to come down for a visit, right? An all-expenses paid visit, no less?!
Well, our friends at FilmBuff were inspired enough by Harry Shearer’s powerful and entertaining documentary, The Big Uneasy (which you should totally watch, btw), for its “ability to go behind the scenes and capture the events surrounding hurricane Katrina and the destruction that it laid upon the city of New Orleans.” So they’re, with Harry’s help, having a contest:
From inspiration comes action, so we want to give you, our loyal FilmBuffs an unique opportunity: write a letter to your state senator and discuss what measures need to be taken to protect your community and prevent devastating natural disasters like this from crippling your town. Submit your letter to both your senator and also, via our team here, to Harry Shearer. Harry, the director of the The Big Uneasy, will personally select the best letter. Should that letter be yours, you will win a trip to New Orleans where Harry himself will guide you on a exciting tour of this great city and together you will witness first hand some of the renewal areas.
So what are you waiting for? The deadline to enter the contest ends October 15th. And for good measure, dear UPROXX reader, I’ll toss in a little something extra, a little lagniappe as well call it in south Louisiana: When you come down, I’ll have you over to my house and cook you some of my delicious crawfish etoufee.
Or perhaps you’d prefer me to cook you some of my duck and andouille sausage gumbo?
Or maybe BOTH? Whatever, just let me know when you’re coming. Good luck! Meanwhile, this guy is sitting on Royal St. waiting to sing for you…
And the St. Charles streetcar is waiting to whisk you around…
And the old Roman Candy cart in Audubon park is waiting to satify your sweet tooth…
And the Tree of Life is waiting for you to come sit under it…
And this lonely bride is waiting in Jackson Square for you to come and marry her…
And Bourbon Street is waiting for you to, well, do the things that tourists do on Bourbon Street…
(All pics taken by me)