When the saints go marching in.

Today was a great day.

First, after breakfast and a late start, a group of Woxy students went to the 9th ward along with some others to pick up trash. It was a rather warm day and picking up trash was unusually exhausting. Thankfully, we got a break. Some time around noon, we heard blaring trumpets and drums coming from somewhere a few blocks away. Some of us went to investigate, while others, including me, decided to stay and do work. However, the music continued to grow louder and soon became irresistable. We went out to the street and saw a parade heading up the street. It was put on by an elementary school and a high school marching band. I'm not sure what the purpose was, but it was a nice surprise, and very uplifting.

We also had the chance to talk with a woman who used to live in the area. Her house had been destroyed in the hurricane but she managed to find a new one in a different area of town just two months after the storm. She was very kind and grateful and it was a pleasure to hear her stories.

I talked with a girl from Wesleyan named Hannah. We discussed the difficulty of communicating people at home about New Orleans. She told me about how recently a friend had called her and asked her how she was doing, and she could only bawl in response. It's not that she was miserable --- New Orleans has been a wonderful experience for her --- but there was too much to say, and too much her friend wouldn't, and couldn't, understand. It's a problem we'll all have to face on coming home.

Later in the day, we went to the Superdome. Common Ground was having a fundraiser that night, and work still needs to be done in the city, and the Saints-Eagles game was the perfect opportunity to spread the word. We geared up in tyvek suits and respirators and crammed into cars. Somehow, we managed to squeeze something like 23 individuals into the van I rode in, and needless to say we were all a litle terrified when a police car showed up behind us with its lights blinking. Luckily for us, the officer didn't notice, and went on his way. We emptied out the cars, and descended on the stadium.

We walked into a mass of black and gold. In our white tyvek suits, we stood out, and earned plenty of confused glares. "Finally, FEMA's here!" cried some people. To them and to others, we passed out flyers, letting them know about the fundraiser and about the need to keep working. Some responses were positive; a few fans knew about Common Ground, and some groups were offered free food and beer from thankful tailgaters. But the majority of people we passed out flyers to were dismissive, bemused, and just didn't care. Most people just smiled and wished us luck, or were drunkenly flirted with the women in our crew. Occasionally, the remarks were racist. "The 9th ward should be bulldozed," said one person. Someone even spat on Hannah's face. For that reason, passing out flyers at the Superdome was frustrating and overwhelming more than anything else.

But the night ended on an up note. First we had our usual evening meeting with the class, and talked about some of the many things we've learned and gained over the past few weeks. Following that, we all went to the fundraiser together, and had a great time. The TBC Jazz Band played at Ray's Boom Boom Room, and they were awesome. A band of young musicians (ages 17-21) playing big band variations of songs like "ABC" and "Stand By Me." We all danced together, including our professor, and it was one big happy celebration. What other classes can you take where your teacher struts her stuff on the dancefloor? Not many that I know of.

And the Saints won!

I don't know when I'll have the chance to update again. Only 3 of the 7 computers are working so I may not update as often as I have been. And you will have to wait on the photos. This computer seems to have trouble uploading them. So they will be posted in a week or so.

We have less than a week here. Rotaract will be here tomorrow, and they will be rooming with us, which should be interesting.

Of course, there's a lot to say... but I'll save it all for later.

Big event on Monday. Expect to hear about it soon.