I'm not going to get back to my routine until the people down there can get back to theirs

[marathoner452]

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/994/593/1600/hope.0.jpg.

That sums up my experience down in New Orleans more than any story I could tell you or any picture I could show you, and that's why I'll keep fighting for the people down there and keep telling my stories in hopes that more people outside of the Gulf Coast will realize that New Orleans is NOT OKAY. Not back to normal, either, no matter what they might show you in the news, or rather NOT show you. Just because the Garden District is pretty much back to normal and the French Quarter is all spiffed up and they had Mardi Gras does not mean everything is okey-dokey. 

For one thing, bureaucracy is keeping the levees from being fortified in time for hurricane season, which starts in 55 days.

For another thing, if you drive through St. Bernard Parish, you can still see stuff like this.  7 months later.  If us disaster relief workers who helped out down there need a mental health screening before we come home, I can only imagine what the people down there are going through.  Hats off to you.

Beyond that, there just are no words.

~~~~~~~

On a different note, Adam and I went to Copeland's in Columbia, Maryland today.  I got a hurricane made with the last of the mix on the premises, crawfish etouffee, and white chocolate bread pudding.  The hurricane wasn't nearly as strong as the ones I had down there, thank goodness, but they did serve it in the right glass.  Plus, where else can you find crawfish or anyone who even knows what etouffee is around here?  Anyone else who wants to try a little New Orleans food, let me know.  Michelle, you're getting there whether you like it or not, though I imagine you won't protest.

I love the kids over at Kemptown Elementary.  They were rather a disaster in and of themselves back at February's flood safety presentation, but they were so much fun today.  One of the girls saw my Katrina hat and told me about her cousins who are hurricane survivors and had the shirts to prove it.  Another girl grew up in Texas and knew all about tornadoes, but wanted to know why houses in the Dallas area don't have basements.  Water table too high, maybe?  Or possibly they're too expensive?  You got me, I gotta do some research.  Besides, there was at least a tornado watch out on Monday night (right during our hurricane debriefing), so the kids were extra-attentive.  They realized that what I was telling them was important.

Not including the Walkersville presentation Betty gave on Wednesday (she hasn't gotten me the numbers on that yet), here's my progress towards my goal of reaching 700 kids this month:  

Stupid word meter thingie isn't working.  Here's a link. 

I think that's enough for now.

~Bethany

Comments

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

Don't forget what I had--catfish po-boy, a mardi gras punch, and we split the bread pudding. :-P And man, was all that good. And as always, so was the company. :-)

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

And I meant what I said last night--anytime you need anything, just ask.