Brwa Pishdari, 30, from Sweden was on Bourbon Street just an hour or so before the terrorist attack in New Orleans.
The plan was actually to continue celebrating, but instead he went home with his family.
– It was so cold, the coldest day since we came to the United States. That’s why we decided to go home earlier, me and my wife would have been out, says Brwa.
Together with his wife and her mother, Brwa Pishdari, 30, from Stockholm, has traveled around the United States on vacation. New Year’s Eve and Brwa’s birthday were to be celebrated in New Orleans before the trip north. But the stay in New Orleans would come to a terrible end.
On New Year’s Eve, the city was rocked by a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. At least ten people were killed when a car drove straight into the celebration. The designated perpetrator, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was shot dead by the police. An IS flag was found in the car.
That same evening, Brwa was on the bar street with his family.
– We have been here for a few days and been on Bourbon street every day, we were only there an hour or so before it happened, says Brwa.
Went home just before the terrorist attack
The plan was actually to celebrate until late on Bourbon street and the surrounding streets, but luckily they chose to go home instead.
– It was so cold, the coldest day since we came to the United States. That’s why we decided to go home earlier, me and my wife would have been out, says Brwa.
The accommodation is only a few hundred meters from the street and when he was lying in bed he heard the sirens of police cars.
– It didn’t sound completely normal, but it’s such a trait in New Orleans, says Brwa.
When he woke up, his phone was full of notifications from family and friends trying to reach him.
Woke up to empty streets
When he realized what had happened, he looked out over the city which lay deserted.
– It was completely empty, no one was there and the police had closed off all the streets here. Then I understood, says Brwa.
On New Year’s Day, which is also his 30th birthday, the plan was to go to the Sugar Bowl American football game. He had received the ticket as a present. But because of the terrorist act, the match was postponed by a day. Brwa and his family miss it as they have to travel on.
– It was a gift, but you get a different perspective on things. I’m just glad nothing happened, life is fragile and you never know what can happen.