At the risk of sounding all girly man :) New Orleans was a city that had a rhythm to it, a soul. The neighborhoods, the suburbs, the Quarter, the city, it all had a different sound that made up New Orleans. I am afraid that Katrina may have destroyed that though. But I miss it too.
Atlanta is what I call a soul-less city, no real core to it you know? I am down here in Middle Georgia, I hit Atlanta when I have to :)
Not girlie at all. You just really knew the place. I think you are right about it never being the same though. There was a certain attitude to the place that made it the "Big Easy". I don't think it will ever have that feeling again. It was a kind of "Devil may care" place where no one took anything too seriously. Kinda sad I think. I have some good memories of the place.