new orleans
Over spring break I spent my time in New Orleans with GW's Alternative Spring Break. When one hears of these trips one immediately associates it with Christian prudes, goody-goodies, and cheeky activities, however this experience alone has changed my perspective and perhaps my life.
Until you visit New Orleans, you cannot imagine the devastation still left behind. The Lower 9th Ward where the levees first broke is full of houses that have not been touched and empty land with concrete from foundations, however the house had floated away long ago. The owners of these houses' belongings are still in the same place there were before the story. There are nursery set ups, magnets and reminders on refrigerators, broken vases with dried flowers, and even a bible opened next to a bathtub. This is unacceptable. It has been three years and the government leave New Orleans to literally rot. This culture is irreplaceable. Try entering any other city and finding a unique history and blend of French and Spanish architecture and cuisine. Bourbon street is NOT new orleans. The essence of New Orleans is Jackson Square where street artists paint and sell, palm readers set up shop, and business owners thrive. Each shop is not the same, not at all like any mall or city street you can imagine in the US, but embodying the architecture first built as the colony grew.
The citizens of New Orleans deserve to have thriving areas other than the French Quarter (which was untouched by the flood). Even business chains like Burger King and Lowes do not come back. They are boarded and for sale. How can citizens feel hopeful if no one is willing to touch the city. It is literally being built from the foundation up by volunteers and every citizen in that city knows it. I had families stop me and thank me, people pay for my meals, cars driving by and honking and screaming in SUPPORT rather than in anger (which honestly one might get anywhere else).
ANYONE who has two legs and two strong hands and can stand for hours at a time MUST go to New Orleans and volunteer. It WILL make a difference. There is a volunteer group before and after you and together we can all make a dent in repairing this unbelievable city. If you cannot physically build, you MUST visit and support the economy. Sit in any pub or cafe and listen to life music. Visit the cemeteries and cathedrals (it is an extremely catholic community and the view on death and the placement of graves are unique as well). Go to Cafe Du Monde and order coffee and beignets. You will not regret it.
Please ask my ANY questions about my experience, I LOVE talking about it.
Until you visit New Orleans, you cannot imagine the devastation still left behind. The Lower 9th Ward where the levees first broke is full of houses that have not been touched and empty land with concrete from foundations, however the house had floated away long ago. The owners of these houses' belongings are still in the same place there were before the story. There are nursery set ups, magnets and reminders on refrigerators, broken vases with dried flowers, and even a bible opened next to a bathtub. This is unacceptable. It has been three years and the government leave New Orleans to literally rot. This culture is irreplaceable. Try entering any other city and finding a unique history and blend of French and Spanish architecture and cuisine. Bourbon street is NOT new orleans. The essence of New Orleans is Jackson Square where street artists paint and sell, palm readers set up shop, and business owners thrive. Each shop is not the same, not at all like any mall or city street you can imagine in the US, but embodying the architecture first built as the colony grew.
The citizens of New Orleans deserve to have thriving areas other than the French Quarter (which was untouched by the flood). Even business chains like Burger King and Lowes do not come back. They are boarded and for sale. How can citizens feel hopeful if no one is willing to touch the city. It is literally being built from the foundation up by volunteers and every citizen in that city knows it. I had families stop me and thank me, people pay for my meals, cars driving by and honking and screaming in SUPPORT rather than in anger (which honestly one might get anywhere else).
ANYONE who has two legs and two strong hands and can stand for hours at a time MUST go to New Orleans and volunteer. It WILL make a difference. There is a volunteer group before and after you and together we can all make a dent in repairing this unbelievable city. If you cannot physically build, you MUST visit and support the economy. Sit in any pub or cafe and listen to life music. Visit the cemeteries and cathedrals (it is an extremely catholic community and the view on death and the placement of graves are unique as well). Go to Cafe Du Monde and order coffee and beignets. You will not regret it.
Please ask my ANY questions about my experience, I LOVE talking about it.