Help me understand this character/point of view?

Makes sense to me, what is your question? That the small town is both satisfied with just being itself (mystery is never longed for), but also able to enjoy the occasional interesting happening (nor meaningful mystery shunned.), and that it differs from N.O. in this, because N.O., in his opinion, presents itself as mysterious but really isn't; N.O. as a city is not happy with itself, nor does it actually have mystery, nor is it capable of recognizing or enjoying one should it come along. I imagine this was written before Katrina. Hope I addressed what you weren't clear about.