bideshi, as a matter of fact,I have been there for many times,maybe 15+ times......I always enjoyed my trip to NO,.....awesome place to be....I have spent couples of nights with my family and had no any evil experience,whatsoever.I have enjoyed the night life,especially in the downtown area.And,Mardi Gras is incredible;you can enjoy it as much as you can---I mean you can have(?) it beyond limit...hahaha....! It was last year's hurricane katrina which is really a dicouraging fact /factor for NO;otherwise it is a city to be dwelled-I believe.Even after Katrina,I have been there 4 times.The fact that the majority of black is Not so intimidating to me rather than a psychological fear.I have learned some recent (2/3 months back)crimes(murders...........),but,I think,those incidents shouldnot be sterotyped.Crime happens anywhere... In fact,I am not advertising NO.If you compare with other cities in US,you may find some facts that may discourage you.After all, any US city is far safer than our Kathmandu or any cities in Nepal...ki kaso ta?