Monday's Adventures...

Well I woke up today not feeling great. I'm not sure if the trailer that I am staying in is moldy or if it is just my sinuses acting up. But took some meds and my inhaler and started to feel better. We went to the Little Farm church for orientation. Afterwards Abby, George, Sue, Betsy, and Donna headed over to the Warren Easton High School to meet Nancy Hernandez - the librarian there. George's company donated 6 laptops for us to give to people. We brought 4 with us to the high school. They were very happily received.

On the way to the school we were able to see some of the city that was still not recovered. It was amazing to see houses deserted and boarded up. Some of them have been gutted, but are wide open for anyone to walk through. There was one house behind the school that sort of gutted and wide open. It was incredible to see.

Nancy telling her story to our small group!

When we got to the school we met Nancy who shared part of her story about the storm. Her and her husband and daughter evacuated. They go to Baton Rouge (I think) and stopped at a Ramada Inn looking for a room. There were none. The manager, however, offered her 2 rooms in his house. So they were able to wait out the storm in the safety of this guys house. When they were able to get back to New Orleans after the storm, she was amazed that their house - which stands on 6 foot stilts and in between 2 major water ways - was spared from flooding. She was told that the water came up to her front door but did not go in! There was some water damage from the roof, but nothing that insurance didn't cover and nothing too major. She said that they were incredibly lucky!

The empty shelves in the library at Warren Easton!

She talked about the library at the school and how before Katrina they had 9000+ books and because of all of the water and mold they were forced to throw away everything! She has been able to buy about 3000 or so books, nothing close to what they had prior to Katrina. The spirit that is there amazes me. After our meeting we had lunch and Nancy offered to buy us all lunch at the cafe. I believe this is the same school that Mom, Kathy, Cheryl, Judy, Paul, and Bob (I hope I didn't miss anyone!) are going to visit next week! I was amazed seeing the library with so many empty shelves! I am so glad that we are able to do something to help fill some of this great need!George with his Dragon Buddy and the Laptops!

We came back to the church and tried to see if the internet was working. Alas we couldn't get online... Rev. Besty and I walked down the street to Caffe Angelina to feel our internet withdrawal! A little while later, George showed up and said that the DSL line at the church needed to be renewed and that had happened. However it will take up to 6 hours before service is restored. So hopefully tomorrow we can get online to feed my internet addiction!

Tonight we are going to have meatloaf and baked potatoes!! How silly is it that I am excited about real food! Nancy Hernandez and her husband along with Carolyn will be joining us for supper tonight so I'm sure I'll have another opportunity to hear about their stories.

Well time to go to CVS to buy some razors.. Figures I bought new ones before I left and I left them in good 'ol MA! I'm sure you are all oh so interested in my CVS run! HEHE... More to come tomorrow I'm sure!