Louisiana citizen Michelle Torregano told a number of students last night in Atherton Hall how "you know what it means to miss New Orleans."

Torregano, a College of Education doctoral candidate, spoke to a small group as part of the New Orleans Culture Fest.

Torregano was born and raised in New Orleans and attended Xavier University of Louisiana. She came to Pennsylvania three years ago to attend Penn State and said she misses everything about New Orleans.

"New Orleans is not all about what you see on Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras," Torregano said.

Torregano said Mardi Gras is a deep tradition in this city, but there is also a variety of cultures, including Creolean, Spanish and French.

"It is the biggest culture area for the United States," Schreyer Scholar Assistant Dave Kraus said.

Torregano said food was a way one could taste the different cultures. She said a tourist could sample the three main types of ethnic foods in one day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Torregano said another important aspect of New Orleans is the jazz music history. Torregano said she learned to appreciate the music because her husband is a jazz musician.

"It really was the birthplace of jazz," said Tommy Wareham, who played a selection of songs relating to New Orleans .

But there is a variety of music in New Orleans, including blues, gospel, Dixieland jazz and modern jazz, Torregano said.

Wareham is a 1971 Penn State graduate and co-owner of the American Ale House & Grill in Toftrees. He has played in and around State College, Florida, the West Coast and New Orleans. He was part of the Deacons of Dixieland, which also included Penn State President Graham Spanier, and toured New Orleans in 2002.

He said he played his guitar in the band at a number of places on Bourbon Street, a church and on the Delta Queen riverboat.

Wareham said it was the best experience of his life, and he was devastated when he heard about the hurricane, but he believes in the restoration of the city.

"I know they will get it back together. They have strong folks down there," Wareham said.

Saalim Carter (junior-history) said he came to the event because he wanted to hear a personal story about New Orleans after all the media coverage.

"[Torregano] really built a mental picture of the city for all of the listeners," Carter said.

Torregano said New Orleans doesn't match the media portrayal of the city.

"Despite what is said about the crime, it is a safe place to be," Torregano said.

She said the New Orleans residents are the "most friendly, hospitable people in the world," and a person cannot go down the street without getting a greeting from the citizens. There is not a lot of competition among its people and a hospitable spirit is exuded from rich and poor homes alike, she added.

"It is the one place where Americans can actually live in harmony," Torregano said.

Those residents will be the driving force of the city's recovery after the hurricanes, she said.

"The city will come back bigger, better and stronger because of the people," she said.

Hurricane Katrina knew no bounds as far as race or class, she said. Though some people are against rebuilding New Orleans because it is below sea level, there is a 250-plus-year history that can't be let go so easily, Torregano said.

"It is a win-win situation," she said. "We [the citizens] win for having the city back, and the people coming to visit will win when they see it."