Today was our last day of working with our crew. We were thankful for finding this smaller group to work with. Genevieve Griffin & Justin Bhagat started OnSiteRelief.Com after spending a month volunteering in New Orleans last year. I believe this is the 11th week of being there in a house they leased for 12 weeks. Before Cody and I headed down their plan was to be finished when these 12 weeks were up, but once we arrived we heard from them that they have changed their plans and are now going to buy a house in New Orleans and keep doing volunteering for who knows how long. They and their crew are a dedicated group and we were thrilled to find such a grass roots group to work with.
I really wanted to let Cody see the aquarium, so we decided to talk to Genevieve about leaving early on our last day. We both had mixed feelings about doing that, but it was so much easier once we arrived and there were more helpers than the day before and less projects to deal with as well. It was obvious for both the painting inside and the siding outside that there were more than enough helpers. So, we applied some primer inside and then went outside to help with siding. We had one last meal with our crew and then took off to do some exploring of NOLA per Cody's wishes.
We first went back to the hotel for our much needed showers. Then we walked over to Papa & Clip Clop's hotel and we all took off for the aquarium. We decided to also buy tickets for the IMAX to see "Hurricane on the Bayou" - a most appropriate movie after our week. There was much we learned about the disappearing wetlands that surrounds NOLA. The aquarium wasn't the best one we have visited - but it was enjoyable.
Papa very eagerly climbed up into this tree house!
I really don't remember what animals lay behind the glass where Cody & Clip Clop are standing - but I just had to take a pic of them!
After the IMAX and aquarium we walked along the river walk towards a favorite spot - Cafe Du Monde! I loved all the balconies along the way and had to take a pic of one. We enjoyed our last plate of beignets and cafe au lait. Well Cody had a soda. We were so full from that we decided to walk back to our hotels and take a nap before dinner. Along our walk back we came across a wonderful knitting and needlepoint store. They had some beautiful yarns. I overheard the cashier telling a couple who were purchasing some items how tough it has been and so eagerly thanked them for their business. It worked on me and I felt I "needed" to buy some yarns to help support them. So now I have a bag full of yarn and no project to use them with. Maybe some of my knitting friends/family will be getting some ball of yarn? Or maybe I will donate them to the school where every class does lots of knitting.
Cody and I both were very glad that we took them time to go down for a a few days to help in New Orleans. It is hard to believe that it is 3 years after Katrina and still so much more needs to be done. I also wonder about so many other areas in the Gulf Coast that was hit and if they are getting the help they need as well. It was also nice to spend a few days with my oldest boy one-on-one. We both had a nice time together and I have to say what a joy it was to watch Cody helping in the work we needed to do and watch his reaction to what he was seeing in the 9th ward. He is has a very kind soul and I'm very proud that he was interested in doing this work during his spring break instead of doing something "fun." It seemed everyday when we left the work site he would comment to the crew "Thanks, I had fun" - really? He had fun? Well that is what he said everyday, so I guess it must be true. I thought he would enjoy because of his comments after doing community service projects at the Montessori school - same kinds of comments of how much fun he had doing whatever work it was. Makes a Momma proud. Well next year we are talking to the kids about doing a cruise, so I will have to look for a different time of year to do another volunteer project and this time add Graham to the mix.
Here are some more pics Cody took of the 9th ward
These were t-shirts with pictures of all the members of the family from this house that died in Katrina.
There were several house with "Do not demolish" spray painted on them.
This was right across from our downtown hotel. All that exposed to the elements!
We are in complete admiration of you and Cody. Had it not been your decision to volunteer in New Orleans, we would have missed not only spending some precious time with the two of you, but we would never have met all the marvelous volunteers both at the house there in the lower ninth ward, but also the other volunteers we met in your hotel.
ReplyDeleteThis was a week we will cherish forever.
And your pride in Cody is well placed. We are proud of both of you!