Yesterday, I went with a few chaperones and two other freshmen to take pictures of the murals outside of where we are staying. On our adventure, we went to the tree down the block that is decorated for Mardi gras. Beads hang from every branch, creating curtains of color. We were lucky on this endeavor, for the owner of the fantastic tree happened to be outside. She is a kind and unique woman with a wonderful soul. Upon talking to her, she explained every inch of her tree, including what she calls her graveyard. The graveyard is where beads from previous years lay to rest as new ones hang from the branches. She wore an all purple outfit for Mardi Gras and had a hat that symbolized her passion for the holiday. When we spoke with her, she also explained her passion for travel and some of the places she has been like New York. It was nice to speak with someone that created something so beautiful and loves New Orleans.
On our tour today, seeing the Bayou and Lower Ninth was very interesting. I have never been to Louisiana before and seeing the different parts of New Orleans reminded me of going through different parts of New Jersey in terms of wealthy and more impoverished areas. To see the devastation that Katrina has still left behind is eye opening and makes what we are here for all the more important. People lost their way of life when the storm hit. To restore even one house just makes us one step closer to a better New Orleans. The water levels here are so crazy to see. It makes understanding the massive flooding from the storm easier. When we went to the French Quarter for the scavenger hunt, that was one of the most fun experiences of my life! Part of what makes New Orleans is the culture. The people I saw and interacted with strengthened the culture aspect even more. The night life is vibrant and I gained an appreciation for the city even more so. I look forward to more fun experiences while here.
No comments:
Post a Comment