What a trip!
Our trip to New Orleans, other than the ride home, is now over. We departed the church at 10:00 this morning. We were the last to leave. The Huntington College kids left around 9:30 and our new friends from Minnesota left just before us. They planned to spend the morning touring New Orleans before starting back this afternoon.
We did our final night last night in style. We enjoyed pizza at the church before caravanning to the New Orleans Zephyrs baseball game. We had been given free tickets from the Zephyrs because of all the work we did this week at the Boys and Girls Club. It was a fun night. The whole gang was there sitting together providing a fitting ending to a week that turned strangers into friends, and to a week that will live on forever in our hearts.
The Zephyrs lost the game but that mattered very little. The dollar beers were flowing, the Minnesotans all bought loud, clashy Zephyrs boxer shorts, Boudreaux and Clotile entertained the crowd, and we even were honored with getting to sing the national anthem. The temp was perfect, a nice breeze was blowing. Baseball outdoors on the last night of our crazy journey was just what we all needed.
Earlier in the day Neil and I tried in vain three separate times to connect with Miss Biagas, the principal at James Singleton School. We instead made an appointment for this morning, which was more successful. Jamie, Neil and I all went over to speak with her about what Oak Point could do in the future to help and support her school. Tricia spent yesterday afternoon putting together a photo collage that we gave to the Hands On and Americorps volunteers during the evening meeting.
Memories of the trip are endless, but I’ll try to name as many here as I can. Meeting some great Minnesota people including Dottie, Dave, Char, Jens 1 and 2 (2 is actually from Chicago but we took her in as one of our own), Carla and her crew, Lynda, and Kris and Charles. Talking with Herman prior to gutting our first house. The difference we made and the reception we received at the Boys and Girls Club. Visiting and teaching at James Singleton School, and all those enthusiastic kids. Seeing kids from Singleton on the street and them remembering my name and coming up to say hello. Garbage everywhere we turned. Planting sunflowers with Forrest. Seeing the Mardi Gras Indians. The emotions of seeing such chaos throughout the city. The optimism of the New Orleans people. Swinging sledgehammers and knocking down walls. Rescuing the possums. Drinking mango daiquiris on Bourbon Street. The sleeping quarters, the affectionate teens, and all the snoring all night long. Spunky Akudo. The Indiana kids who seemed to never stop singing. Miss Joanne and Miss Frances from the church. The nice twin girls from Indiana and their mother Suzie. Blog Boy, Turkey Neck and the other names I was called during the trip. The loud music emanating from the iPod player while breakfast and supper were prepared. All our friends from Hands On including Nick the carpenter, Nate the cook, Big Nate and Jess, Kenda, Megan, T.C., Anthony, Allison, Amy, Neal, Akudo the talent show M.C., William from Nawlins, and Sarah. Dinner at Grandma’s house – incredible! Reverend Lance. Getting ready for the Bishop. The Sunday morning service and all the wonderful music from the Dillard Choir. Cookie saying “Suck da head!” and “Mama just said one word, ‘un huh!’” The dinner out at Café Maspero in the French Quarter. Beignets and Coffee at Café DuMonde – twice, both times seeing our friend Hunter the waiter. Hurricanes at Pat O’Brians with our friend Clarke the bartender. Sitting in the nook at D.B.A. on Frenchmen Street after the baseball game. Watching the chicks from Minnesota work their butts off – especially Dianne. Seeing Neil wrestle with two brown, dirty toilets. Our neighborhood bar, the bar that Dave built – Igors. Kids playing barefoot in the rubble of the Lower Ninth Ward. Singing “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Teachers” at the outdoor talent show. The heat and strong smell of mold in the flooded houses and just walking the streets of the Ninth Ward. Running the computer during the Sunday church service. Jamie singing “You’re Beautiful.” Lactitating boy. The endless “thank yous” from the citizens we encountered. The commitment of the incredible AmeriCorps and Hands On kids who are taking months of their lives to make a difference in the lives of others. The swamp boat ride with the marshmallow-eating gators. Putting a stinging buck moth on Jen’s neck – oh my! The orange-toothed nutria mascot. The long shower line where the wait between most showers was more than four minutes. Feathered face masks. The healthy, tasty suppers.
Everything about this trip was great. And like I said to Tricia yesterday, once I put some space between this journey and the rest of my life I think our trip to New Orleans will go down as one of the best experiences of my life. Thanks to all who helped make it possible!
posted by Chris Kreie @ 5:46 AM
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