NOLA 2010

This year's trip is different than last year's trip since I'm one of the co-coordinators and get to work at NOLAC this year but otherwise we are going to most of the same locations and the city does not cease to amaze me. We got an amazing tour of the 9th ward by Wayne, who some people were lucky enough to meet during last year's trip. The lower 9th ward is still devastated and driving through the neighborhood is both disappointing and hopeful. It's disappointing that there are still so many abandoned homes, if there are even homes standing but hopeful to see that certain parts of the neighborhood have returned (motorcycle racing!). It really didn't hit me though until Wayne told us his story and we saw a grown man tear up at the thought of his brother wading through 13 feet of water in the middle of a storm barely hanging onto an electricity wire to get to his neighbors house and yelling at him to hold on with the wind gushing around him. We then got to meet some local volunteers who felt the need to complain about Brad Pitt's houses. I understand that his homes cost a lot to make and don't fit into local scenery, but he's still building homes that are environmentally friendly and maybe keeping up solar panels are expensive but they might also provide some electricity if the power goes out. No one is perfect but the idea is that he is making homes and making a difference, so he should get as much credit as all other volunteers helping Katrina.

Monday we got our work assignments and spent our first full day at NOLAC. I had checked the weather and saw that there was a chance of rain, coming from san jose, I thought "no big deal, I'll carry an umbrella." Boy was I wrong. We walked to work on a bright sunny morning, we walked to the main lobby of the building to serious rain with gusts so strong they actually lifted water off the street. Kristina and I attempted to "tough it out" and crossed half a street, we almost lost my umbrella and were drenched from head to toe. It was nothing like the hurricane but definitely helped put Wayne's story in perspective.