Indeed it was...in spades. This was in August and it was shall we say somewhat steamy but your impression was exactly mine too. This was a few years before Katrina hit as well.
I have a very close friend who lived in NOLA during Katrina. Her story is totally incredible and we, her friends, are very fortunate that she was able to get out of there and survive.
In October 2019, she invited us to go there for a visit. Even though she moved away as soon as she could after Katrina, she maintained her old home there, and rented out half of it to help pay her bills.
I’ve been to NOLA probably a half dozen times before that trip. Maybe even a dozen times. At any rate, I saw it through new eyes…her eyes.
It’s a very special place.
You are reminding me that hubby and I should go again (we did as college students) and take in the sights, one more time, for old times’ sake. I’ll put it on the list of places to visit (or revisit, as the case may be.)