Mardi Gras bringing life into New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina may have destroyed parts of New Orleans, but Katrina did not kill the spirit of Mardi Gras. New Orleans natives are celebrating Mardi Gras differently this year. Natives who thought of Mardi Gras as a tradition, now have to make travel plans and map out their festivities. Hurricane Katrina survivors hit the French Quarters trying to breathe life back into the city.

New Orleans residents traveled from the surrounding cities to make it to the celebration, though the attendance of Mardi Gras dropped significantly. In recent years, streets were filled to capacity, making it impossible to move around the French Quarters freely. This year, Mardi Gras attendees could easily walk down the street.

Mayor Ray Nagin, in an interview with NBC's Today show, called this year's Mardi Gras a reunion. "We're celebrating our 150-year anniversary. It's part of our DNA, if you will. And it's a bittersweet occasion because there's lots of people who still aren't here, but it's turned into a reunion of sorts," he said.

Though New Orleans is far from being rebuilt, the Mardi Gras celebration is an indication that though the city is damaged the spirit and heart of New Orleans is still alive.