Since I am a local expert on the subject, having lived in La for 3 years now - (tongue in cheek, people) I have plenty to say on the matter. Actually, I have spent a lot of my married life visiting La, and being married to one of it's finest citizens, I do feel a certain level of attachment. It's hard not to love Louisiana, whether it's the north or the south. Louisiana is like Mississippi's older, wilder cousin- you know the one, they always talk you into doing stuff you know you probably wouldn't normally do, and they drink beer.
Louisiana is one of the most unique states to live in. For one, there's the whole "I used to belong to France" thing. The Napoleonic Code, the stubborn use of parishes, and not to mention creoles, crawfish, Catholics, and N'awlins. Every crack and crevice of Louisiana, both north and south, is crammed full of culture and spice. Even those quiet little towns tucked away in some forgottten corner boast a local festival or site that people faithfully come from all over to visit.
Arrowheads in cottonfields, cypress trees and alligators, jambalaya and blues, Louisiana has a rich bouquet of things to love. It doesn't matter where in Louisiana you are, we all have a claim to this wonderful place. The only difference, to me, between the north and the south, is the compass arrow.
**As a side note, I am now the official representative of the Louisiana Tourism Board. I sound like a travel brochure in this post!! But, it's all from the heart. Now, if I can just find some glossy pictures to put up...**
I thougth it was "I used to belong to France"...?
Posted by: JosiahQ at April 8, 2004 11:18 AMso politically correct!! Louisiana is a spicy state!
Posted by: Ashley at April 8, 2004 12:55 PMI always say Spain when I mean France. Don't you?
Posted by: Shannon at April 8, 2004 01:24 PMthat post reminds me... as if I could have forgotten... how much I loved living in Lousiana way back when...
hmmmm... maybe someday I will again....
Posted by: Aunt Vickie at April 8, 2004 01:43 PMOn Tuesday Lisa and I went to Enoch's with her parents and had a wonderful time. We discussed the differences between Louisiana and other places in the south. Even though I've been through all the southern states, I've only lived in Louisiana. When I first moved here, I was surprised by how much alcohol people drink. I'd never lived in an area in which people drink and drink a lot--and drink some more. Even the Christians in the area--Catholic, Presbyterian, whatever, even Baptists--drink regularly, though not excessively.
Naturally, when I moved here to (Monroe) Louisiana, I assumed it was a southern thing. I just assumed that everyone in the south enjoyed a touch of liquor frequently. My parents-in-law informed me otherwise. They used to live in and around Jackson, MS, and they grew up in south MS. Three of the counties around Jackson are dry counties! I'd never heard of dry counties till I moved here, either, but since we don't have any in Louisiana (that I know of), it never sank in until our conversation Tues.
You're right about the culture, too. Louisianans are very proud of their culture, and each little area has its own slick of culture. There are so many stories and so many recipes, and each area has its own set. It really is a remarkable place. Living in Louisiana makes me think of Europe. I've never been to Europe, but I've heard about the vast cultural differences in between countries. Many European countries are smaller than states in the U.S., and they've got their own cultural parameters--the things that make them unique. That's what Louisiana's got. And I love it.
Posted by: Courtney Huntington at April 10, 2004 09:19 AMOops . . . that should read "slice of culture" in the third paragraph.
Posted by: Courtney Huntington at April 10, 2004 09:21 AMWow. Your entry has me convinced now to visit Louisiana. I live in Orange County, California but I wouldn't mind taking a break from this place...
Posted by: Dianey at April 11, 2004 11:52 PMThe more the merrier!
Posted by: Shannon at April 12, 2004 01:15 AMIt did belong to Spain and France...I think in that order, since the Louisiana Purchase bought it from France. It was being bought around Europe before we got ahold of it.
Posted by: Jeannette at April 12, 2004 06:15 PMYou have best answered the question, "Why do you live in Louisiana?" that I am often asked.
Posted by: SonofThunder at April 13, 2004 07:19 PM