Saturday, day four without power:
I come home after spending the night at a friend’s apartment
(with air conditioning). Still no power at Saulet. The “security” gates are
wide open to allow residents to enter and exit the garage, which is practically
empty. Very few people around. It’s really hot and stuffy in my apartment, I
take a cold shower and decide to go uptown to Tulane, where there’s electricity
(air conditioning!), Internet and a food court.
The power is still out at Saulet, but I stop by my apartment to change before the Tulane vs. Rutgers game. I am shocked and terrified to
discover that someone has been in my HOME!
And completely emptied my refrigerator and freezer! All of my food: apples, plums, salad dressings, condiments, AND MY ALCOHOL is gone!! After
six days of misery, I’ve reached the breaking point. I finally cry.
Apparently, Saulet management came into my apartment to
check for storm damage. In fairness,
they sent an email on Thursday indicating that they’d be coming on Friday,
reminding us to dispose of perishables and warning us not to allow anyone
without a uniform into our homes. The
closing line: as always, please be safe.
Of course, I had removed all perishables by then. I guess we have a different definition of
perishable: mine is based on items
requiring refrigeration, theirs is obviously much broader. An ice pack?!?! Why would they take my ice pack?
After yet another cold shower, I go to the management office
to discuss the situation. Maybe there’s news about when power will be
restored? Imagine my surprise: the Saulet
office has electricity! Phone service.
Internet. AND air
conditioning. But no property manager. If I wait around, I’ll just get more
upset. And I have to find a place to
sleep tonight: I really don’t feel safe at The Saulet. How ironic: I leave my luxury apartment complex and go to
the Superdome.
SO disappointed in the Saulet. I’m paying top dollar to live here. I thought
it was worth it: a secure garage (the gates have been left open since the power
went out, why can’t they hire a guard?), 24-hour emergency service (unless it’s
5am and you’ve just been released from the emergency room after a car accident,
in which case you have to pay $100 to a locksmith) and accessible, responsive management (who raid your refrigerator, take your “perishables” and retreat to
air-conditioned comfort).
For the first time in the five year period I have lived in New Orleans, I don't feel safe where I live. Not only that, I feel violated.
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