Why I Love New Orleans: How could you not?

Why do I love New Orleans you ask?  Is it the vast amounts of distinct food that others often imitate but never duplicate?  Is it the live music that occurs not only nightly but hourly?  Or maybe the fact that there is no clear line drawn between the city nightlife and daylife.  Locals thrive on greeting strangers.  Strangers thrive at only a glimpse of what real culture looks like. We keep our friends close and our family closer coupled with wonderfully unique southern activities that only NOLA natives could appreciate.  We embrace the fact that New Orleans doesn't try to be like any other city in the world nor does it ever have to be.  We'd prefer to keep the ample amounts of sunlight to ourselves and appreciate the fact that life moves a bit slower here.  Rather than giving up all of the best kept southern secrets the Big Easy has to offer, I suppose the better question to ask would be simply:  How could one not love New Orleans?

Chris Mahlstedt is a New Orleans native but currently resides in Seattle, Washington.  He is a professional drummer, photographer and concert lighting designer who has a bachelor's in music from University of New Orleans.  You can keep up with him at any of the various Instagram accounts listed below or visit his website, Little Machine Productions.