Reflecting on the trip

We left the gorgeous weather, great food, and amazing people yesterday. I don't think that any of us wanted to come back and leave the amazing city that is New Orleans.

During our reflection time, we discussed a lot of topics, including:
- How there are so many contrasts in New Orleans, from the French Quarter, to Bourbon Street, to the Lower Ninth, and surrounding residential areas (such as Chalmette, where we stayed). Most tourists flock to the first two places but never really venture 10 minutes down the street to where many businesses have shut down, houses are still boarded up, and poverty still reigns.
- How many of the residents are distrusting and frustrated with the government. One resident we talked to said that he lost his house and all of his possessions and all the government gave him was a $2000 check, which did not even start to cover his losses.
- How there are a lot of factors - economic, environmental, and maybe political - that led to the devastation. One thing that I learned was that the receding wetlands that usually buffer the effects of hurricanes contributed to the extreme flooding. I didn't even know that wetlands had anything to do with the Hurricane before the trip. (See the documentary "Hurricane on the Bayou").
- How little footage the news showed and how quickly it moved on to another topic. So many people lost their homes, family members, and all they had, yet it was pretty simple for us to move on the next hot topic. Also, many of us didn't know about Hurricane Rita, which came very shortly after Katrina, made matters worse. In addition, the devastation wasn't limited to just Louisiana. Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida were also affected.
- How New Orleans "grows on you like a fungus," like Brent said. A lot of us fell in love with New Orleans and could see why many people come to New Orleans and never leave.

Another good documentary to watch is "When the Levees Broke."

I've learned a ton from this trip and I highly recommend to anyone that has a few free days to take a trip down to New Orleans. And to not only visit the French Quarter and the touristy places, but to also visit the lower Ninth Ward and surrounding residential areas.

- Melanie