NOLA is a culture
We don’t give directions using big city terms like east, west, north and south. Instead, it’s uptown, downtown, lakebound, (as in Lake Ponchartrain on the city’s northern border) and riverbound (as in the Mississippi). So, ask somebody to pinpoint a building’s location, and you might hear “it’s on the downtown, lakeside corner.” and if you’re on the east bank of the river downtown and you need to head to the west bank, you go east.
Give up your compass that’s just how it's done in the Big Easy.
To understand New Orleans geography, your best bet is to explore our wonderful city.