I am not sure why I thought there would be only one song that was perfectly matched to an entire experience.
Of course, New Orleans had more than one song. It was a little Retour a Vega, a little Paradise by the Dashboard Light, part Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a little bit of that old classic, American Pie. And inexplicably, but at the same time, not inexplicable at all, All You Need is Love.
We may not have sistered all of the floor joists perfectly. Some of our window headers were a little bit crooked. We cursed half the nails we drove, but in the end, those houses were built with love. Those houses will have such a legacy before their new owners even move in. To have been shareholders in that legacy, to have signed our names to the partitions and beam pockets we’d built ourselves, to have come together to create the structure, the strength base, for two entire houses…
words fail me again.
This morning, I took a twenty-minute shower in incredibly hot water, ate breakfast after the sun came up, walked around my house without an ID badge on, and used the Internet for almost an hour without waiting in line. My workboots are back in the closet. My winter jacket is waiting by the door. My watch is reset to Windsor time.
We are “home”, as of quarter of eight this morning, but this doesn’t feel like home to me anymore.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Grand Finale
Today is Friday and the last post was actually from Thursday. My posts might appear one day late.
A fantastic and successful end to a very productive week.
Today we finished all of the exterior framing and completed a fair amount of the inside wall frames.
At the beginning of the week, the two groups (UWindsor and the Netherlands high school students) were each working within their own areas on individual homes. By the end of the week, there was lots of crossover between the two groups and before we knew it, we were all working alongside each other and the Americorp team.
The build ended with a great wrapup team meeting where the students shared their feelings about the week. Some very profound experiences were revealed. That my friends is experiential learnign at its best!
As we said our goodbyes, and snapped our final photos of our new friends and the build site, we were inspired by what we started with on Tuesday morning and how far we came in helping two New Orleans families to realize their new dreams.
One of the many highlights of this trip has been our incredible bus drivers Mike and Casey. Mike is our Windsor to Tennessee and Tennessee back to Windsor guy. Casey, our Tennessee to New Orleans driver has been with us all week and has been as much a part of this trip as the rest of us.
Casey is like everyone's grandpa (well maybe father in my case). He's the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back. He picks us up every day at 7:00 am and drives us the 30 minutes to the site. He offers to run errands during the day and just shows up midday on the site just to show his support. He also takes us out at night to the parades and downtown.
Today Casey had a special surprise for us when he picked us up. He went back to Musician's Village to talk to David Fountan and Smoky Johnson. David gave him special Zulu beads and Mardi Gras cups for all of us and a coconut painted black -a traditional Zulu prize.
But Casey didn't stop at that! He then drove us back to Musician's Village and we were all able to experience Mr. Fountain's musical shrine. The blaring jazz music filled the street and set the tone for a great visit with David and several other locals who were anxious to share their very moving stories about how Hurrican Katrina affected them (and still affects them). David then presented Sandy with another black coconut AND THE most prized of all the coconuts, a gold one! We also got to chat with some local school children.
We're all back on the bus now and looking forward to a hot (with any hope) shower, some Camp Hope grub and some much needed rest before the long bus ride back to Windsor tomorrow at noon. But, some will go bowling tonight - an interesting activity given how sore we all are.
One of the really neat things about being back here for a second time is that we have met many of the same people we got to know on the first trip. John Wilkes Booth, a local from St. Bernard's parish, continues to have his dinners here every night and still shares his stories. Pete, who was a Habitat builder on trip one, dropped over yesterday to help us build and stayed all day today too. He's a fantastic supervisor and very knowledgable. And David Fountain. How good it was to hear his giddly laugh again.
Enjoy the roof over your head tonight! I know I will.
Beth
A fantastic and successful end to a very productive week.
Today we finished all of the exterior framing and completed a fair amount of the inside wall frames.
At the beginning of the week, the two groups (UWindsor and the Netherlands high school students) were each working within their own areas on individual homes. By the end of the week, there was lots of crossover between the two groups and before we knew it, we were all working alongside each other and the Americorp team.
The build ended with a great wrapup team meeting where the students shared their feelings about the week. Some very profound experiences were revealed. That my friends is experiential learnign at its best!
As we said our goodbyes, and snapped our final photos of our new friends and the build site, we were inspired by what we started with on Tuesday morning and how far we came in helping two New Orleans families to realize their new dreams.
One of the many highlights of this trip has been our incredible bus drivers Mike and Casey. Mike is our Windsor to Tennessee and Tennessee back to Windsor guy. Casey, our Tennessee to New Orleans driver has been with us all week and has been as much a part of this trip as the rest of us.
Casey is like everyone's grandpa (well maybe father in my case). He's the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back. He picks us up every day at 7:00 am and drives us the 30 minutes to the site. He offers to run errands during the day and just shows up midday on the site just to show his support. He also takes us out at night to the parades and downtown.
Today Casey had a special surprise for us when he picked us up. He went back to Musician's Village to talk to David Fountan and Smoky Johnson. David gave him special Zulu beads and Mardi Gras cups for all of us and a coconut painted black -a traditional Zulu prize.
But Casey didn't stop at that! He then drove us back to Musician's Village and we were all able to experience Mr. Fountain's musical shrine. The blaring jazz music filled the street and set the tone for a great visit with David and several other locals who were anxious to share their very moving stories about how Hurrican Katrina affected them (and still affects them). David then presented Sandy with another black coconut AND THE most prized of all the coconuts, a gold one! We also got to chat with some local school children.
We're all back on the bus now and looking forward to a hot (with any hope) shower, some Camp Hope grub and some much needed rest before the long bus ride back to Windsor tomorrow at noon. But, some will go bowling tonight - an interesting activity given how sore we all are.
One of the really neat things about being back here for a second time is that we have met many of the same people we got to know on the first trip. John Wilkes Booth, a local from St. Bernard's parish, continues to have his dinners here every night and still shares his stories. Pete, who was a Habitat builder on trip one, dropped over yesterday to help us build and stayed all day today too. He's a fantastic supervisor and very knowledgable. And David Fountain. How good it was to hear his giddly laugh again.
Enjoy the roof over your head tonight! I know I will.
Beth
Well. We've made it through day three on the build site. I must say this build experience has been so very different from the build 2 years ago. 2 years ago we did siding, soffit, facia, porches, stairs, insulation etc. This time, the work is much more physical and involves so much nailing.
So, the building has been very well described below so let's move on to the Camp Hope experience.
This lovely little community has so many special little nuances.
The showers outside in the portable trailers are my most recent discovery. They have hot water unlike the ones in the school and the smell of mold and mildew is very pungent.
Today as I sat eating my breakfast, I was dreaming about what I would do to get my hands on a real glass of OJ or any juice for that matter rather than the coloured water they've been serving all week. To my delight, the Tropicana was revealed 5 minutes later! I think I now know how soldiers must feel.
The preserved packaged meals that can be heated up with a salt water solution are quite interesting for those brave enough to try one. Reminds me of what the astronauts eat in space. I'm not sure of the science behind it, but it's very interesting.
The pizza lunchables as a lunch option for packing was interesting, but I passed in lieu of a sandwich.
And yet this funny little place has some strange appeal in its sense of community.
So tonight we got to go downtown (or uptown as they say) and see a Mardi Gras parade. The streets were packed and the floats were very nice. We met some very friendly people in the crowd and enjoyed catching beads, coins and cups. Sandy caught a great hat.
Well, it's time to rest my tired arms and sleep off my fatigued muscles. Nighty night!
So, the building has been very well described below so let's move on to the Camp Hope experience.
This lovely little community has so many special little nuances.
The showers outside in the portable trailers are my most recent discovery. They have hot water unlike the ones in the school and the smell of mold and mildew is very pungent.
Today as I sat eating my breakfast, I was dreaming about what I would do to get my hands on a real glass of OJ or any juice for that matter rather than the coloured water they've been serving all week. To my delight, the Tropicana was revealed 5 minutes later! I think I now know how soldiers must feel.
The preserved packaged meals that can be heated up with a salt water solution are quite interesting for those brave enough to try one. Reminds me of what the astronauts eat in space. I'm not sure of the science behind it, but it's very interesting.
The pizza lunchables as a lunch option for packing was interesting, but I passed in lieu of a sandwich.
And yet this funny little place has some strange appeal in its sense of community.
So tonight we got to go downtown (or uptown as they say) and see a Mardi Gras parade. The streets were packed and the floats were very nice. We met some very friendly people in the crowd and enjoyed catching beads, coins and cups. Sandy caught a great hat.
Well, it's time to rest my tired arms and sleep off my fatigued muscles. Nighty night!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
There is a common misconception that hell contains fire and brimstone.
This is untrue. Hell is actually an endless series of joists that need to be sistered.
...Today was actually fantastic. After a slow and slightly frustrating start sistering the aforementioned floor joists, we were able to move on to building window headers and king jacks--with easier nails!
It is SO exciting to watch this house go up in leaps and bounds.
This is untrue. Hell is actually an endless series of joists that need to be sistered.
...Today was actually fantastic. After a slow and slightly frustrating start sistering the aforementioned floor joists, we were able to move on to building window headers and king jacks--with easier nails!
It is SO exciting to watch this house go up in leaps and bounds.
Helloooo everyone!
Sorry I haven't been writing any blogs, the days have been very busy!
We started building a house structure yesterday in the east end of New Orleans. We have made SO much progress in 2 days. We put in some floor boards today, along with preparing "King Jacks" which are basically the window and door frames. Tomorrow we will be putting in the walls! Everyone is getting nice tans (or burns) and very sore muscles, but we keep up the energy the entire day. The biggest challenge is hammering in the nails. The nails are very soft, and if you hit them too many times they bend, and then you need to remove them. It is very frustrating, but i've been getting better!
Alright my times up here! I will have plenty of stories and photos of my night on Bourbon Street!
Ya'll take care now!
Love Xenaaaa <3
Sorry I haven't been writing any blogs, the days have been very busy!
We started building a house structure yesterday in the east end of New Orleans. We have made SO much progress in 2 days. We put in some floor boards today, along with preparing "King Jacks" which are basically the window and door frames. Tomorrow we will be putting in the walls! Everyone is getting nice tans (or burns) and very sore muscles, but we keep up the energy the entire day. The biggest challenge is hammering in the nails. The nails are very soft, and if you hit them too many times they bend, and then you need to remove them. It is very frustrating, but i've been getting better!
Alright my times up here! I will have plenty of stories and photos of my night on Bourbon Street!
Ya'll take care now!
Love Xenaaaa <3
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Practice Makes Perfect. Unless, You're Trying to Hammer in Galvanized Nails!
So the last day and a half has been quite interesting as you've no doubt read about our reunion trip to the lower 9th ward and Musician's village where we met Smoky Johnson, the former drummer for Fat's Domino.
So last night, Mark and I had the opportunity to meet up with a friend I met on the last build. Beth A. lives in DC and her first build 2 years ago turned her into a bit of a New Orleans junkie. She's even marching in a parade as a muse. She's visited 10 times since then and when she called, we couldn't turn down her offer to see the real side of the French Quarter outside of Bourbon Street.
We had a great meal, and visited a cool little divey bar where they had to unlock their door to let each person in. Then it was on to The Maple Leaf for some great live jazz by a band called Papa Grows Funk. Beth showed us a great time and it was so great to catch up with her. We hopped a cab back to camp hope quite late.
The alarm clock came quickly and we had a full day on the job site. We hammered for hours and accomplished a great deal on the first part of the homes. It was VERY muddy! The sounds of all of the hammers pounding at once really choked me up. It was just so powerful to see such a large group working together. What a great team!
At the end of the work day, we were all tired but very satisfied with the progress we made on our house. We leveled the land around the homes, and almost finished installing all the joists for the floor. The nails we have to use are a huge source of frustration, because they are galvanized to ensure they don't rust. But they bend so easy and are very long. Removing a bent one is nearly impossible too.
Well, we've showered (very cold water), eaten, had our nightly team meeting and now the bus driver Casey is picking us up to go to Bourbon Street. It's certainly an interesting place!
So, we'll be pretty tired out by the time we return tonight, but ready for another full day tomorrow.
So last night, Mark and I had the opportunity to meet up with a friend I met on the last build. Beth A. lives in DC and her first build 2 years ago turned her into a bit of a New Orleans junkie. She's even marching in a parade as a muse. She's visited 10 times since then and when she called, we couldn't turn down her offer to see the real side of the French Quarter outside of Bourbon Street.
We had a great meal, and visited a cool little divey bar where they had to unlock their door to let each person in. Then it was on to The Maple Leaf for some great live jazz by a band called Papa Grows Funk. Beth showed us a great time and it was so great to catch up with her. We hopped a cab back to camp hope quite late.
The alarm clock came quickly and we had a full day on the job site. We hammered for hours and accomplished a great deal on the first part of the homes. It was VERY muddy! The sounds of all of the hammers pounding at once really choked me up. It was just so powerful to see such a large group working together. What a great team!
At the end of the work day, we were all tired but very satisfied with the progress we made on our house. We leveled the land around the homes, and almost finished installing all the joists for the floor. The nails we have to use are a huge source of frustration, because they are galvanized to ensure they don't rust. But they bend so easy and are very long. Removing a bent one is nearly impossible too.
Well, we've showered (very cold water), eaten, had our nightly team meeting and now the bus driver Casey is picking us up to go to Bourbon Street. It's certainly an interesting place!
So, we'll be pretty tired out by the time we return tonight, but ready for another full day tomorrow.
Construction and concentration
I can't tell you the sound of one hand clapping, but I can definitely tell you the sound of sixty people hammering--it's LOUD!
After spending the last couple of days educating ourselves about the city and what each of the areas looked like in the wake of Katrina, it was a great feeling to finally get out to our site and start working.
Our project is in New Orleans East. Most of the homes are still standing in this area, but many of them are still boarded up or seriously damaged.
We started our morning earlier than I'd care to mention, crowning lumber and grading the terrain to draw water away from the foundation of the two houses. The sun had yet to make an appearance, so as we dug the earth up around the foundations, the water started pooling between the two lots. When we started sinking into the mud up to our calves, we decided to call it quits until the sun dried up some of the water.
We moved on to laying down termite shields, strapping down floor joists, and nailing rim joists. We learned a lot of cool construction words that I promptly forgot, experienced the beautiful Louisiana sunshine, drove 86 million nails, and got generally dirty...it was fantastic.
New Orleans is feeling more and more like home every day.
After spending the last couple of days educating ourselves about the city and what each of the areas looked like in the wake of Katrina, it was a great feeling to finally get out to our site and start working.
Our project is in New Orleans East. Most of the homes are still standing in this area, but many of them are still boarded up or seriously damaged.
We started our morning earlier than I'd care to mention, crowning lumber and grading the terrain to draw water away from the foundation of the two houses. The sun had yet to make an appearance, so as we dug the earth up around the foundations, the water started pooling between the two lots. When we started sinking into the mud up to our calves, we decided to call it quits until the sun dried up some of the water.
We moved on to laying down termite shields, strapping down floor joists, and nailing rim joists. We learned a lot of cool construction words that I promptly forgot, experienced the beautiful Louisiana sunshine, drove 86 million nails, and got generally dirty...it was fantastic.
New Orleans is feeling more and more like home every day.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Snakes, Alligators and Indians
Welcome to the interesting world of Steph and Andrew in N'awlins..ENJOY!
The bus ride was amazing, easy, we couldn't have gone threw the border faster. We have nothing but kind words for the Border Control Workers. We got to watch Mighty Ducks 2 and sleep in the most comfortable positions, who needs a real bed? We would like to buy a bus in order to get a good nights sleep.
We arrived at the Middle School and it reminds Andrew of his middle school, creepy. There are still Science Lab tables and white boards in the dorm rooms we sleep in. The bunk beds look and feel as though they may collapse on themselves, but that is all part of the adventure of waking up each morning. With that being said though, the operation they have set up here is pretty incredible and runs like a well oiled machine. The fact that this place is here for volunteers to live in and come down and help is amazing.
There are 500+ people staying here this week and the AmeriCorp volunteers cook breakfast and dinner for each of them. Talk about doing amazing work. On top of all of that they also volunteer out in the communities. There are also local residents that come in and eat with us for each meal, they have their little dinner TV set up and watch Wheel of Fortune, but will turn it off to talk to anyone and have truly the best stories. John Wilkes Booth (Yeah, we know, it is his real name) talked to the whole group last night about his adventure during the hurricane and it was definitely an eye opener.
Today the boys woke up at 5:30 because Mark forgot to change his clock back an hour, they got less sleep than the girls, that is funny, although Andrew disagrees. We then had a wonderful breakfast and traveled to the city. We know it is Family Day at home, but here it is President's Day, so we didn't get to volunteer but instead took a tour of the Lower 9th Ward, where the levees broke. It is the poorest area of New Orleans and was hit the hardest by Hurricane Katrina. Steph has been here before and there has definitely been a great change. There is less debris and more of the houses have been demolished in order to rebuild. On top of that Brad Pitt's organization, Make it Right, has started rebuilding and the designs are incredible, you should check out the website! Our favourite part of the Lower 9th was this child's play ground that we found that looked like it was from the Jetson's and was powered by solar energy. We relived our childhood for a few minutes and played on a teeter totter.
We also went to Musician's Village today. The 5 returning volunteers got to get out of the bus and take pictures with the houses we worked on last time, this is probably the best experience we will have all week. Steph's only hope is that the new spring breakers will have this opportunity some time in the new future!
We had some time this afternoon to hang out at Camp Hope. We played some basketball and read a lot of books. While this was happening Kaleigh got pooped on by some kind of bird, it was very upsetting. The rest of us found it amusing.
After that we took a guided tour of the entire city, the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, the Garden District. We are very excited to revisit these places again as the week goes on. Our tour guide for the afternoon might have seemed mildly racist. He told us a very good story about how the French and Americans built a wall to keep out snakes, alligators and indians, good times! We are visiting Bourbon tomorrow, yes it's Mardi Gras time here, bring on the beads!
We start work very early tomorrow and are very excited to get to work. We will be back tomorrow with more stories. We're here, we're unorthodoxed, we're down with the swirl, get used to us!
The bus ride was amazing, easy, we couldn't have gone threw the border faster. We have nothing but kind words for the Border Control Workers. We got to watch Mighty Ducks 2 and sleep in the most comfortable positions, who needs a real bed? We would like to buy a bus in order to get a good nights sleep.
We arrived at the Middle School and it reminds Andrew of his middle school, creepy. There are still Science Lab tables and white boards in the dorm rooms we sleep in. The bunk beds look and feel as though they may collapse on themselves, but that is all part of the adventure of waking up each morning. With that being said though, the operation they have set up here is pretty incredible and runs like a well oiled machine. The fact that this place is here for volunteers to live in and come down and help is amazing.
There are 500+ people staying here this week and the AmeriCorp volunteers cook breakfast and dinner for each of them. Talk about doing amazing work. On top of all of that they also volunteer out in the communities. There are also local residents that come in and eat with us for each meal, they have their little dinner TV set up and watch Wheel of Fortune, but will turn it off to talk to anyone and have truly the best stories. John Wilkes Booth (Yeah, we know, it is his real name) talked to the whole group last night about his adventure during the hurricane and it was definitely an eye opener.
Today the boys woke up at 5:30 because Mark forgot to change his clock back an hour, they got less sleep than the girls, that is funny, although Andrew disagrees. We then had a wonderful breakfast and traveled to the city. We know it is Family Day at home, but here it is President's Day, so we didn't get to volunteer but instead took a tour of the Lower 9th Ward, where the levees broke. It is the poorest area of New Orleans and was hit the hardest by Hurricane Katrina. Steph has been here before and there has definitely been a great change. There is less debris and more of the houses have been demolished in order to rebuild. On top of that Brad Pitt's organization, Make it Right, has started rebuilding and the designs are incredible, you should check out the website! Our favourite part of the Lower 9th was this child's play ground that we found that looked like it was from the Jetson's and was powered by solar energy. We relived our childhood for a few minutes and played on a teeter totter.
We also went to Musician's Village today. The 5 returning volunteers got to get out of the bus and take pictures with the houses we worked on last time, this is probably the best experience we will have all week. Steph's only hope is that the new spring breakers will have this opportunity some time in the new future!
We had some time this afternoon to hang out at Camp Hope. We played some basketball and read a lot of books. While this was happening Kaleigh got pooped on by some kind of bird, it was very upsetting. The rest of us found it amusing.
After that we took a guided tour of the entire city, the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, the Garden District. We are very excited to revisit these places again as the week goes on. Our tour guide for the afternoon might have seemed mildly racist. He told us a very good story about how the French and Americans built a wall to keep out snakes, alligators and indians, good times! We are visiting Bourbon tomorrow, yes it's Mardi Gras time here, bring on the beads!
We start work very early tomorrow and are very excited to get to work. We will be back tomorrow with more stories. We're here, we're unorthodoxed, we're down with the swirl, get used to us!
Orientation
Well, we've settled in and survived the first day of Camp Hope food and sleeping. On the menu for lunch was mystery meat cold cut sandwiches, day old bread and salad. Dinner was the same salad with some jambalaya. Compared to the living conditions of our H.E.R.O. colleagues leaving today for the Dominican Republic, I think it's safe to say, we are living in the Hilton! And, compared to Camp Hope I where some of us stayed the first time, this place has also greatly improved. There's drywall, ample lighting in our room, a number of decent showers and none of the plumbing is overflowing.
Last night we had our Camp Hope orientation and it was very moving and a nice reminder about why I came back. The photos, videos and presentation was very moving (and funny) and although it seems insurmountable, with 1.5 million volunteers having passed through Camp Hope's doors since it began, it's true that we can make a difference to these people. Sadly, the camp will be closing its doors on May 1st so that this facility can return to its normal state of being a school. Where CH will go after is still up in the air.
Today we will spend the day doing work around this school, tutoring middle school children (who read at a grade 1 level) and anything else we are assigned to. Later, we will head the the 15 miles to New Orleans (NO) to go on a city tour. We've had many offers from the local St. Bernard's parish residents to attend numerous Mardi Gras parades happening all week long and we know we will be attending at least one in NO.
So, it's time to sign off and go stand in line for some of those delish southern grits!
Bye for now and good luck to the folks heading to the Dominican and the ones staying in Windsor to help with community service there! Enjoy your spring break experiences.
Beth
Last night we had our Camp Hope orientation and it was very moving and a nice reminder about why I came back. The photos, videos and presentation was very moving (and funny) and although it seems insurmountable, with 1.5 million volunteers having passed through Camp Hope's doors since it began, it's true that we can make a difference to these people. Sadly, the camp will be closing its doors on May 1st so that this facility can return to its normal state of being a school. Where CH will go after is still up in the air.
Today we will spend the day doing work around this school, tutoring middle school children (who read at a grade 1 level) and anything else we are assigned to. Later, we will head the the 15 miles to New Orleans (NO) to go on a city tour. We've had many offers from the local St. Bernard's parish residents to attend numerous Mardi Gras parades happening all week long and we know we will be attending at least one in NO.
So, it's time to sign off and go stand in line for some of those delish southern grits!
Bye for now and good luck to the folks heading to the Dominican and the ones staying in Windsor to help with community service there! Enjoy your spring break experiences.
Beth
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Beautiful Disaster
We went out for walk about an hour or two ago. It was a great learning experience for only being a short one. We met wonderful people who are still willing to talk about what happened, and disgusted as well seeing that after almost 4 years these houses are still sitting here. These were families that had Christmas dinner in these houses, and raised their kids here. It's odd to think that this is an accepted way of living after all they have been through. It was nice to hear though that they appreciate volunteers and that they are welcome anyone who wants to help, or those who just want to learn.
We're taking a bunch of pictures, so hopefully we can upload some more on here or show everyonew once we come home. It's like another world down here. I'm excited to experience more.
I've always had the philosophy "Once you hit rock bottom, there is nowhere to go BUT up" I think that this city is a living example of a raise in humanity, a raising of spirits after the rocks they have been through. I hope that I can contribute something to this town. I'm excited to experience it all.
We're taking a bunch of pictures, so hopefully we can upload some more on here or show everyonew once we come home. It's like another world down here. I'm excited to experience more.
I've always had the philosophy "Once you hit rock bottom, there is nowhere to go BUT up" I think that this city is a living example of a raise in humanity, a raising of spirits after the rocks they have been through. I hope that I can contribute something to this town. I'm excited to experience it all.
Bus Trip and First Day in N'Awlins
Howdy Friends!
It has been a day since we left, and already so much has happened. The bus trip was very long, but not as bad as one would expect. The worst part was definitely being stopped at the border for 2 hours. At first everyone was nervous that we were going to be sent back to Windsor, and fortunately that was not the case! It still sucked that everyone had to go in and get fingerprinted, etc. (Dang it! now CSI can find me!) We were very fortunate however that we were the first bus to arrive, because the other buses ended up staying there until ~10pm.
We arrived at Camp Hope, our home for the week, at 10am-ish. It's an old school, and the classrooms are filled with bunkbeds and spiders. There is actually a freaky warning sign at the entrance with a picture of a black widow that caused many of us to be paranoid. Other than that, the camp isn't too bad!
After settling down and having lunch, we all went for a stroll around the neighbourhood. We saw many abandoned houses, as well as spaces where a house once existed. Some people are still fixing up their houses and live in trailers on their lawn. We got a chance to talk to some locals that were wondering why a bunch of people were taking photos of their homes. They told us that the water was 9ft above the ground after Katrina, and that it took 2 weeks for the water to drain. They were living in their boats, driving down the street that we were standing on.
They recommended that we should check out "Shell Beach" to watch the fishermen come back with nets full of crabs, and other poor sea creatures, and to see the monument with all the names of those who died during Katrina.
Alright, it's dinner time! I'm looking forward to writing more about this incredible experience tomorrow!
BYE!!!
-Xena
It has been a day since we left, and already so much has happened. The bus trip was very long, but not as bad as one would expect. The worst part was definitely being stopped at the border for 2 hours. At first everyone was nervous that we were going to be sent back to Windsor, and fortunately that was not the case! It still sucked that everyone had to go in and get fingerprinted, etc. (Dang it! now CSI can find me!) We were very fortunate however that we were the first bus to arrive, because the other buses ended up staying there until ~10pm.
We arrived at Camp Hope, our home for the week, at 10am-ish. It's an old school, and the classrooms are filled with bunkbeds and spiders. There is actually a freaky warning sign at the entrance with a picture of a black widow that caused many of us to be paranoid. Other than that, the camp isn't too bad!
After settling down and having lunch, we all went for a stroll around the neighbourhood. We saw many abandoned houses, as well as spaces where a house once existed. Some people are still fixing up their houses and live in trailers on their lawn. We got a chance to talk to some locals that were wondering why a bunch of people were taking photos of their homes. They told us that the water was 9ft above the ground after Katrina, and that it took 2 weeks for the water to drain. They were living in their boats, driving down the street that we were standing on.
They recommended that we should check out "Shell Beach" to watch the fishermen come back with nets full of crabs, and other poor sea creatures, and to see the monument with all the names of those who died during Katrina.
Alright, it's dinner time! I'm looking forward to writing more about this incredible experience tomorrow!
BYE!!!
-Xena
Okay. I may have to revise my opinion of long bus trips.
The awake part is great. The sleeping part...well, let's just say that I'm not sure my spine will ever be the same again.
By some miracle, despite the border hold-up, we pulled into Camp Hope half an hour before our scheduled arrival time. I had tried to sleep when we got back onto the bus after stopping for breakfast in Mississippi, but I ended up looking out the window instead.
It is so surreal to be here, to see what we've read about, what we've looked at photographs of:
The FEMA trailers, now abandoned by the hundreds in lots just outside the border of New Orleans. The bridge over the Mississippi river, with a second one with higher pilings being built alongside it. The water that once covered 80% of Orleans parish, still lingering in flooded grassland. The steep, curving onramp bridges I saw in magazines, partially submerged, people and cars gathered at the top, awaiting rescue. The houses marked with Xs.
There are ducklings paddling in the floodplain. They have moved on, as has this country. The world reminds itself of Katrina only once a year, on her anniversary. But these people, these people whose boats are still floating upside down, mournful shells of what once was, how can they move on?
Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but being here is worth a million, maybe more. This place defies description.
The awake part is great. The sleeping part...well, let's just say that I'm not sure my spine will ever be the same again.
By some miracle, despite the border hold-up, we pulled into Camp Hope half an hour before our scheduled arrival time. I had tried to sleep when we got back onto the bus after stopping for breakfast in Mississippi, but I ended up looking out the window instead.
It is so surreal to be here, to see what we've read about, what we've looked at photographs of:
The FEMA trailers, now abandoned by the hundreds in lots just outside the border of New Orleans. The bridge over the Mississippi river, with a second one with higher pilings being built alongside it. The water that once covered 80% of Orleans parish, still lingering in flooded grassland. The steep, curving onramp bridges I saw in magazines, partially submerged, people and cars gathered at the top, awaiting rescue. The houses marked with Xs.
There are ducklings paddling in the floodplain. They have moved on, as has this country. The world reminds itself of Katrina only once a year, on her anniversary. But these people, these people whose boats are still floating upside down, mournful shells of what once was, how can they move on?
Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but being here is worth a million, maybe more. This place defies description.
Here in New Orleans
Finally we have arrived here in New Orleans, we are at a new location of Camp Hope from the last time the University went, however the people seem nice here and everything is nice an cosy. Most of us are showered and changed into clean clothes after being on the bus since yesterday at 12. Getting settled in was pretty good, we already have our designated spider killers for those black widows and the brown spiders...(for those of us afraid of them). On our way in we saw some houses that were still in very bad condition, as well even one that had "do not demolish" in black spray paint on the side. It was a reality that we have been preparing for in the last few weeks.
Before we came, we talked about what the houses could possibly look like, we are at Camp Hope which is now about 30 minutes from downtown, and we can see some of the devastation already. On the way in, you could look at the houses, and see the symbolic `X` whichs represents the damage to the house. In the upper quadrant, the date of when the house was checked is written. The number on the bottom of the X is how many bodies they found, the number on the left is how many people they rescued, the letters at the top are the state the military group doing the searching was from and the numbers on the right are the date they did the search. Just seeing this is enough to start to understand.
For now, I am going to settle in a little more myself, but there will for sure be more to come about this trip!
Before we came, we talked about what the houses could possibly look like, we are at Camp Hope which is now about 30 minutes from downtown, and we can see some of the devastation already. On the way in, you could look at the houses, and see the symbolic `X` whichs represents the damage to the house. In the upper quadrant, the date of when the house was checked is written. The number on the bottom of the X is how many bodies they found, the number on the left is how many people they rescued, the letters at the top are the state the military group doing the searching was from and the numbers on the right are the date they did the search. Just seeing this is enough to start to understand.
For now, I am going to settle in a little more myself, but there will for sure be more to come about this trip!
We're HERE!!!
So we just arrived in New Orleans not too long ago. After a much needed shower, all of us are feeling a lot better and are in need of some serious sleep time. The bus ride was harder then I thought. First the unnecessary delay at the border which you've probably read about in Beth's blog was absolutely ridiculous. I felt like a terrorist for a little bit as we all got paroled but then it kind of calmed down (2.5 hours in) when Weems and Ratliff (border guys) were so sweet to us and just tried our best to get us through. The real kicker is that 3 other buses pulled up beside us. They wouldn't have gotten through the border until midnight. Poor UWO kids.
Second, these buses are not really designed for sleeping which makes me, a tall girl, a little uncomfortable. I tossed and turned pres\tty much the whole 20 hours on the bus, but eventually I was knocked out enough to not really care what position I was in. P.S. my arm is a little sore. haha
New Orleans, of what we've seen so far, is interesting... It's a really overcast day, and I haven't seen too many people . It's so wet here. Bogs EVERYWHERE. It looks like a rain forest a bit. We did pass a couple of rebuilt communities that look nice, but there is still alot of damage here. Many sideroads are still closed and ripped up, and we did see a couple of X'ed houses, and other ripped up houses that have spray painted "DO NOT DEMO". I wonder how long those homes will stay until someone comes to claim them.
Billlboard as we entered Louisiana: ""That "Love Thy Neighbour" thing? I meant it. - God""
--- interesting
Second, these buses are not really designed for sleeping which makes me, a tall girl, a little uncomfortable. I tossed and turned pres\tty much the whole 20 hours on the bus, but eventually I was knocked out enough to not really care what position I was in. P.S. my arm is a little sore. haha
New Orleans, of what we've seen so far, is interesting... It's a really overcast day, and I haven't seen too many people . It's so wet here. Bogs EVERYWHERE. It looks like a rain forest a bit. We did pass a couple of rebuilt communities that look nice, but there is still alot of damage here. Many sideroads are still closed and ripped up, and we did see a couple of X'ed houses, and other ripped up houses that have spray painted "DO NOT DEMO". I wonder how long those homes will stay until someone comes to claim them.
Billlboard as we entered Louisiana: ""That "Love Thy Neighbour" thing? I meant it. - God""
--- interesting
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Bridge to Nowhere
(First let me say thanks to my assistant Lauren W. for agreeing to edit and post these blogs to the internet from my blackberry)
So, what an interesting trip so far! We boarded the bus at the U and were bridge bound by 12:15 pm. It's important to note before I tell this story that our very well organized trip coordinator Sandy prepared yesterday by calling U.S. Customs to notify them that 27 of us would be coming by bus for the purpose of spending the week in New Orleans to help build homes as volunteers for habitat. The person on the phone told her not to do anything, just come ahead and it should only take a few minutes to process everyone and then we'd be on our way.
Not quite!
The friendly officer boarded our bus and told us to hold tight and they would come back and call us in a few at a time. In the meantime, we should just sit back, and "have a coke and a smile."
The first 5 of us were called in 15 minutes later and stood in line waiting and watching a large group of immigration officers standing barking orders at the people in the very small and crowded waiting area. As they told the 5 of us to stand in a separate line for "parolees", they appeared to be completely miffed, scratching their heads about what to do with us.
As we waited, we overheard one remark to his colleage: "we should just turn them back!". The next 45 minutes we watched as 3 officers attempted to figure out how to collect the information and enter it into the computers. In the meantime, we witnessed many others waiting and being treated like hardened criminals. An elderly couple was brought in because of having a suspiciously large amount of cash. They appeared to be having difficulty following the instructions that were being barked out and at their age, it seemed that they certainly deserved to be treated with more respect and patience. We watched as the man was brought into a room with several other officers. When the door closed, Mark (my fellow colleague at the U) and I couldn't help but conclude that a cavity search was a very real possibility for this poor confused old man. Another couple in their late 30s tried without success to explain that they had young children in the car and were merely going over for a family day. However, having been charged with a minor offence when he was 17, this was still haunting him (and as a result his family) and so he was being refused entry into the US indefinitely. Finally, a well dressed 40 something man was in a heated battle with the officers about having not told the entire trip about his trip to Caesar's.
So, finally the computers were ready and we were told we should stand and wait to be "paroled". Mark got up the nerve to ask for clarification about exactly what that meant. Basically, because we are coming to the US to do "work", albeit volunteer work, we had to go through this process. Next came the questions: Hair colour? Eye colour? Height? Weight? (Some officers actually made unprofessional comments to some of our students when this info was given). Marital status? Then the finger printing, iris scan and photo.
About this time, another bus rolled in which made the potato chip munching officers laugh and loudly comment; "Ha! Well tell them they're gonna be here for the next 3 hours" and "tell them to go up to the Buffalo crossing!".
After the first hour, the first 5 of us were dismissed without our passports and sent back to the bus. Repeat same process for an additional 2 hours with the remaining 22 volunteers! As we returned to the bus, a 3rd bus pulled in from University of Western - also on their way to volunteer for our friendly US neighbours. They will no doubt be sitting there til midnight!
The question I would like to ask President Obama (and please readers, if you know his address, feel free to forward this to him): Why on earth would your U.S border guards hassle a bunch of canadians trying to come to your country to help with a mess that your country created for the people of New Orleans?! Shouldn't we be welcomed with open arms? Roll out the red carpet? Thank us???
So, finally the officers came back on the bus and handed us all back our passports which all now sport a lovely permanent stamp stating 'paroled'. Sounds like we are criminals! After we all put the passports away, it was explained to us that before returning across the bridge next Sunday, we will have to stop and get a letter here stating that we were officially denied entry. Following that, we were all asked to get our passports out again and hold them up to show them one more time.
So, it's now 4:30 and we are just beginning the long 21 hour drive. Some of us are already hungry and need a bathroom break and we haven't even gotten anywhere. Meanwhile, Casey, our second bus driver awaits our bus for his next shift. Fun, fun. Fun!
(First let me say thanks to my assistant Lauren W. for agreeing to edit and post these blogs to the internet from my blackberry)
So, what an interesting trip so far! We boarded the bus at the U and were bridge bound by 12:15 pm. It's important to note before I tell this story that our very well organized trip coordinator Sandy prepared yesterday by calling U.S. Customs to notify them that 27 of us would be coming by bus for the purpose of spending the week in New Orleans to help build homes as volunteers for habitat. The person on the phone told her not to do anything, just come ahead and it should only take a few minutes to process everyone and then we'd be on our way.
Not quite!
The friendly officer boarded our bus and told us to hold tight and they would come back and call us in a few at a time. In the meantime, we should just sit back, and "have a coke and a smile."
The first 5 of us were called in 15 minutes later and stood in line waiting and watching a large group of immigration officers standing barking orders at the people in the very small and crowded waiting area. As they told the 5 of us to stand in a separate line for "parolees", they appeared to be completely miffed, scratching their heads about what to do with us.
As we waited, we overheard one remark to his colleage: "we should just turn them back!". The next 45 minutes we watched as 3 officers attempted to figure out how to collect the information and enter it into the computers. In the meantime, we witnessed many others waiting and being treated like hardened criminals. An elderly couple was brought in because of having a suspiciously large amount of cash. They appeared to be having difficulty following the instructions that were being barked out and at their age, it seemed that they certainly deserved to be treated with more respect and patience. We watched as the man was brought into a room with several other officers. When the door closed, Mark (my fellow colleague at the U) and I couldn't help but conclude that a cavity search was a very real possibility for this poor confused old man. Another couple in their late 30s tried without success to explain that they had young children in the car and were merely going over for a family day. However, having been charged with a minor offence when he was 17, this was still haunting him (and as a result his family) and so he was being refused entry into the US indefinitely. Finally, a well dressed 40 something man was in a heated battle with the officers about having not told the entire trip about his trip to Caesar's.
So, finally the computers were ready and we were told we should stand and wait to be "paroled". Mark got up the nerve to ask for clarification about exactly what that meant. Basically, because we are coming to the US to do "work", albeit volunteer work, we had to go through this process. Next came the questions: Hair colour? Eye colour? Height? Weight? (Some officers actually made unprofessional comments to some of our students when this info was given). Marital status? Then the finger printing, iris scan and photo.
About this time, another bus rolled in which made the potato chip munching officers laugh and loudly comment; "Ha! Well tell them they're gonna be here for the next 3 hours" and "tell them to go up to the Buffalo crossing!".
After the first hour, the first 5 of us were dismissed without our passports and sent back to the bus. Repeat same process for an additional 2 hours with the remaining 22 volunteers! As we returned to the bus, a 3rd bus pulled in from University of Western - also on their way to volunteer for our friendly US neighbours. They will no doubt be sitting there til midnight!
The question I would like to ask President Obama (and please readers, if you know his address, feel free to forward this to him): Why on earth would your U.S border guards hassle a bunch of canadians trying to come to your country to help with a mess that your country created for the people of New Orleans?! Shouldn't we be welcomed with open arms? Roll out the red carpet? Thank us???
So, finally the officers came back on the bus and handed us all back our passports which all now sport a lovely permanent stamp stating 'paroled'. Sounds like we are criminals! After we all put the passports away, it was explained to us that before returning across the bridge next Sunday, we will have to stop and get a letter here stating that we were officially denied entry. Following that, we were all asked to get our passports out again and hold them up to show them one more time.
So, it's now 4:30 and we are just beginning the long 21 hour drive. Some of us are already hungry and need a bathroom break and we haven't even gotten anywhere. Meanwhile, Casey, our second bus driver awaits our bus for his next shift. Fun, fun. Fun!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Packing...is lame.
Eighteen hours to go.
I have a dozen different lists, scrawled across the back of envelopes, medical mycology notes, on my window in dry erase markers. Every time I try to pack something, I remember five other things I think I should bring and then it’s back to the list, revising what I can actually use in a week.
I went to overnight camp for what felt like my entire childhood, but I’ve still never learned how to pack. It gets harder, I think, as we grow up and start taking in practical considerations like sunscreen and batteries, instead of just concentrating on cramming as much contraband candy as possible into a suitcase. (Though, admittedly, pound-for-pound, I’m still aiming to have more gummy worms than clothes.)
This is going to be one heck of a bus ride.
My last long trip was…four years ago (WOW, I’m getting old), when my mother, a saint the more I consider her, drove my younger sisters and I from St. Catherines all the way to Lower Manhattan, in nine solid hours (including the time we spent trying to navigate the Tappan Zee bridge). Earlier that year, our band trip to Chicago was twelve hours of Blues Brothers-watching, pillow-fighting, Cheetos-eating, musicals-singing confinement on a too-hot bus that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Don't tell, but I secretly love long bus trips.
As soon as I brought up New Orleans at Thanksgiving, I watched the shadow of a hundred different microorganisms cross my mother’s face. Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, shigellosis…
“Mama, please. It’s not a third world country,” I said, though I regretted it immediately. My mother reads the same newspapers I do. She remembered the reports from BBC and CNN coming in in the days following the hurricane, describing New Orleans as just that—a third world country inside the most powerful nation in the world.
She has settled down since then and opted instead for sending me drugs in the mail (in her defense, she is a pharmacist)—gentian violet, ciprofloxacin, furosemide, oral rehydration salts, loperamide, cetirizine.
This is not helping me decide what to bring.
I’ve been industriously cramming music onto my iPod all day. According to iTunes, I have 3.6 days worth of music. I firmly believe that there is a perfect song for every experience, every moment, and that some of our greatest happiness comes from the breathless synergy we get when we find that song.
I wonder what it will be for New Orleans.
I have a dozen different lists, scrawled across the back of envelopes, medical mycology notes, on my window in dry erase markers. Every time I try to pack something, I remember five other things I think I should bring and then it’s back to the list, revising what I can actually use in a week.
I went to overnight camp for what felt like my entire childhood, but I’ve still never learned how to pack. It gets harder, I think, as we grow up and start taking in practical considerations like sunscreen and batteries, instead of just concentrating on cramming as much contraband candy as possible into a suitcase. (Though, admittedly, pound-for-pound, I’m still aiming to have more gummy worms than clothes.)
This is going to be one heck of a bus ride.
My last long trip was…four years ago (WOW, I’m getting old), when my mother, a saint the more I consider her, drove my younger sisters and I from St. Catherines all the way to Lower Manhattan, in nine solid hours (including the time we spent trying to navigate the Tappan Zee bridge). Earlier that year, our band trip to Chicago was twelve hours of Blues Brothers-watching, pillow-fighting, Cheetos-eating, musicals-singing confinement on a too-hot bus that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Don't tell, but I secretly love long bus trips.
As soon as I brought up New Orleans at Thanksgiving, I watched the shadow of a hundred different microorganisms cross my mother’s face. Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, shigellosis…
“Mama, please. It’s not a third world country,” I said, though I regretted it immediately. My mother reads the same newspapers I do. She remembered the reports from BBC and CNN coming in in the days following the hurricane, describing New Orleans as just that—a third world country inside the most powerful nation in the world.
She has settled down since then and opted instead for sending me drugs in the mail (in her defense, she is a pharmacist)—gentian violet, ciprofloxacin, furosemide, oral rehydration salts, loperamide, cetirizine.
This is not helping me decide what to bring.
I’ve been industriously cramming music onto my iPod all day. According to iTunes, I have 3.6 days worth of music. I firmly believe that there is a perfect song for every experience, every moment, and that some of our greatest happiness comes from the breathless synergy we get when we find that song.
I wonder what it will be for New Orleans.
Getting Ready
Getting Ready
As I awoke this morning thinking about our trip to New Orleans, I stayed a couple of extra minutes in my bed enjoying the soft flannel sheets, the cozy duvet, the reassuring hum of the furnace and the fine smelling coffee brewing in the kitchen -knowing that beginning tomorrow, the comforts I so often take for granted will not be there for a full 8 days.
I made my way past my two teenage daughters in full out battle over a pair of pants, and descended to the basement to retrieve my laundry from the screaming dryer –a signal that it just might be on its last leg. Next, I encountered a very wet basement with large puddles and a very soaked carpet, thanks to the recent winter thaw seeping down the walls. On my way back upstairs, my daughter informed me that her pop tart had fallen between the crack of the counter and the fridge and since my dear husband Jim had just left on a mini golf vacation, I would need to figure out some quick solutions before I too leave. Knowing what’s ahead in New Orleans and that the people I will meet would do anything to deal with such small problems, it was difficult to feel too sorry for myself.
So, tomorrow we board the bus for the 21 hour ride. Yeehaw!!…How will I, Ms. Fidgetty, amuse myself for that long in one position? iPod? Check. Trashy Magazines? Check. Highly recommended novel? Check. Mardi Gras beads? Check. Pillow? Absolutely!
As an alumnus of the Alternate Spring Break Trip, I learned a few tricks the first time around about how to survive the commute to the Big Easy. One of the most valuable things I learned was that no matter how much packing and preparing one does, nothing can quite ready a person for the experiences ahead. The camaraderie is just one of the many benefits of this adventure –but a very important one. The H.E.R.O. organizers began to prepare the participants weeks ago by having us attend weekly meetings to get to know each other and prepare for what we are about to experience. I’ve not yet gotten to know all of my fellow Habitat builders, but I’m confident that by the end of the trip, I will have done my best to do so.
This trip isn’t just an opportunity to give back to a community so devastated by a hurricane 3 and a half years ago, it’s an opportunity to feel great about helping, understand the unique culture of the New Orleans people including why they are determined to rebuild, and witness firsthand how young people (myself excluded) coming together can make such a difference. I’m not sure what part I’m most excited for, but perhaps a little part of me is just looking forward to living a simple life for a week without the complexities of dryers, drama filled mornings, sitting at my desk and yes, even straightening my hair!
So, away we go, all aboard and wishes for safe travels and a productive week and wonderful experiences
As I awoke this morning thinking about our trip to New Orleans, I stayed a couple of extra minutes in my bed enjoying the soft flannel sheets, the cozy duvet, the reassuring hum of the furnace and the fine smelling coffee brewing in the kitchen -knowing that beginning tomorrow, the comforts I so often take for granted will not be there for a full 8 days.
I made my way past my two teenage daughters in full out battle over a pair of pants, and descended to the basement to retrieve my laundry from the screaming dryer –a signal that it just might be on its last leg. Next, I encountered a very wet basement with large puddles and a very soaked carpet, thanks to the recent winter thaw seeping down the walls. On my way back upstairs, my daughter informed me that her pop tart had fallen between the crack of the counter and the fridge and since my dear husband Jim had just left on a mini golf vacation, I would need to figure out some quick solutions before I too leave. Knowing what’s ahead in New Orleans and that the people I will meet would do anything to deal with such small problems, it was difficult to feel too sorry for myself.
So, tomorrow we board the bus for the 21 hour ride. Yeehaw!!…How will I, Ms. Fidgetty, amuse myself for that long in one position? iPod? Check. Trashy Magazines? Check. Highly recommended novel? Check. Mardi Gras beads? Check. Pillow? Absolutely!
As an alumnus of the Alternate Spring Break Trip, I learned a few tricks the first time around about how to survive the commute to the Big Easy. One of the most valuable things I learned was that no matter how much packing and preparing one does, nothing can quite ready a person for the experiences ahead. The camaraderie is just one of the many benefits of this adventure –but a very important one. The H.E.R.O. organizers began to prepare the participants weeks ago by having us attend weekly meetings to get to know each other and prepare for what we are about to experience. I’ve not yet gotten to know all of my fellow Habitat builders, but I’m confident that by the end of the trip, I will have done my best to do so.
This trip isn’t just an opportunity to give back to a community so devastated by a hurricane 3 and a half years ago, it’s an opportunity to feel great about helping, understand the unique culture of the New Orleans people including why they are determined to rebuild, and witness firsthand how young people (myself excluded) coming together can make such a difference. I’m not sure what part I’m most excited for, but perhaps a little part of me is just looking forward to living a simple life for a week without the complexities of dryers, drama filled mornings, sitting at my desk and yes, even straightening my hair!
So, away we go, all aboard and wishes for safe travels and a productive week and wonderful experiences
Thursday, February 12, 2009
2 Days and Counting
Well it's Thursday and we leave for The Big Easy on Saturday, but I want to start this blog off by recognizing three beautiful women who have worked very hard to get Project H.E.R.O. off of its feet. Sandy, Erika and Nicole, our amazing RLCs are fantastic powerful women who just want to make a difference in the world. I have had the opportunity to work with each of them and I really appreciate their focus and leadership for this project. They are continuously influencing us as participants to work hard and realize that every penny, every nail, and every person can really make a difference in places that need our help.
I know that everyone is so excited to embark on a once in a lifetime journey and truly challenge ourselves as people to go places we've never been before and work harder then we ever thought possible. I personally feel so determined to just go and do what I can. I am excited to learn more about our group going to New Orleans and establish fantastic new friendships with them. I know that we will have a great time... especially that 21 hour bus ride down!
Thank you to those individuals who have donated their time and money to the H.E.R.O. Project and supported our cause. This trip would not be possible without you. Even saying, "Have Fun!" solidifies our focus to the project.
Personally I would like to thank my DRED family for their wonderful support, I know that they will be wanting to hear stories when I come back, so I'll make sure that I experience all that I can.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that we dare to dream really do come true.
I know that everyone is so excited to embark on a once in a lifetime journey and truly challenge ourselves as people to go places we've never been before and work harder then we ever thought possible. I personally feel so determined to just go and do what I can. I am excited to learn more about our group going to New Orleans and establish fantastic new friendships with them. I know that we will have a great time... especially that 21 hour bus ride down!
Thank you to those individuals who have donated their time and money to the H.E.R.O. Project and supported our cause. This trip would not be possible without you. Even saying, "Have Fun!" solidifies our focus to the project.
Personally I would like to thank my DRED family for their wonderful support, I know that they will be wanting to hear stories when I come back, so I'll make sure that I experience all that I can.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that we dare to dream really do come true.
Anxious for Departure!
Tonight was our last meeting before we board the bus this Saturday and begin our journey to New Orleans, or "N'Awlins" as they say! It's been a fantastic semester with the team of participants who have been meeting almost every single week since the December holidays. We've been doing team building activities to build relationships that will provide support and stability while we're there, fundraising our tails off, and having fun along the way! The level of dedication to this project shown by the group already is amazing and I have no doubt that our week spent helping will be a rewarding one on a personal level as well as for us as a team.
One piece of information that I found out about this evening is that Camp Hope, where we will be housed during our time in N'Awlins, will be closing on May 1, 2009. Camp Hope is an elementary school that has been converted into housing accomodations for volunteers and ran by Habitat for Humanity. Although it will be sad to see it close (it's a very vibrant place to be!), the goal is to have it re-open as a school for the fall of 2010! This is a huge sign of HOPE for New Orleans as this means many are returning to the city and children are going back to school!
Having been to New Orleans twice since February of 2007 when residence students headed down for the first time, I can hardly sleep already looking forward to the trip! I am anxious to get back and see what the city looks like and see the progress that has been made since I saw it last and I can't wait for our team to be there and experience the energy and rich traditions New Orleans has to offer. Hearing this news of Camp Hope's closure really kicks this trip off on a positive foot!
2 days left until departure and I can't wait to get on the bus!
One piece of information that I found out about this evening is that Camp Hope, where we will be housed during our time in N'Awlins, will be closing on May 1, 2009. Camp Hope is an elementary school that has been converted into housing accomodations for volunteers and ran by Habitat for Humanity. Although it will be sad to see it close (it's a very vibrant place to be!), the goal is to have it re-open as a school for the fall of 2010! This is a huge sign of HOPE for New Orleans as this means many are returning to the city and children are going back to school!
Having been to New Orleans twice since February of 2007 when residence students headed down for the first time, I can hardly sleep already looking forward to the trip! I am anxious to get back and see what the city looks like and see the progress that has been made since I saw it last and I can't wait for our team to be there and experience the energy and rich traditions New Orleans has to offer. Hearing this news of Camp Hope's closure really kicks this trip off on a positive foot!
2 days left until departure and I can't wait to get on the bus!
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