On the way to pick up the Grecos’ youngest son Joseph, 14, at soccer practice, we tour the marina. We see what has become oh-so familiar to us – piles of debris. But this time it’s boats.

The marina area was a bustling community of water-front homes, restaurants and shops. All of the shops and restaurants are gone. They were pushed inland by the water. The homes have no more walls. They look like empty boxes.

The Grecos treat us to a traditional New Orleans meal of po-boys. It’s a sandwich bread. Between the bread, Melanie has shrimp and catfish; I have softshell crab. The food at Acme Oyster House is terrific. Mel and I talk about how we have yet to have a bad meal in NOLA. Everything is tasty and very spicy.

We promise the Grecos we will come back. Melanie says in about 10 years. They make us promise that it will be sooner. They invite us back to mardi gras next year. I hope they are moved into their home by then, and the FEMA trailers are gone.

All over the city there are lots filled with empty FEMA trailers. (Behind these trailers is the oil refinery that caused a massive spill. The land sat under a mixture of oil and polluted flood waters for two weeks. It is now toxic six-inches deep, and all of the trees are gone. Immediately following any contact with the land, you have to wash your hands.) Residents are now just receiving trailers. The problem has been getting electricity restored to hard-hit areas so residents can hook up the trailer. In addition, many residents still do not know if their homes are salvageable. They are waiting for the government to come out with a plan.

Some stores, primarily the large chains, Wal-mart, Home Depot, Target, Walgreens and so on, have re-opened. Many of the independent mom and pop shops are still damaged and have limited hours. There are long lines.

It seems that in NOLA you have to be patient.

Joe Greco, a firefighter, says that he was told it could take as long as 25 years until the city is fully recovered. A whole generation will grow up living in the shadow of Hurricane Katrina. I wonder if Katrina will ever disappear from this city’s consciousness.

Here are some images: