New Orleans, LA: Katrina.... 6 years later

No matter where we went, every person had a story to tell about Hurricane Katrina. They talked of it, like someone talks about a loved one had passed... It was as if a part of their city had died. We conversed with many types of people, and each had their own stories to tell.  At the plantations, they discussed the damage to the houses and property.  In the bayou, this discussed how Katrina hit the swamps and their homes.  The street performers discussed how they found shelter, and how some of the homeless took cover in the streets of the French Quarters.  Locals discussed how the rebuilding efforts are going. They were living and thriving, but they were often brought back to that, and they seemed to have wanted to tell their stories.  They all carried this sorrow and trauma in the heart, and it was crazy to see it all manifest in their eyes when they discussed it.   

Many buildings still bare marks to the flooding, and many lots and houses remain abandoned and cleared out. Many boats that had floated in were still in the city center, there are still families living in FEMA trailers, and reconstruction on the poorer ends seems to be few and far between. But city centers, schools, and attractions have been rebuilt, and are alive and functioning.

The residents had to break out of the house, by tearing a hole in the roof.

The grey wall is the new Levi built right in the place of the old one. It was very close to the houses, as you can see.  (above)  The new Levi built. Now two ft higher than the old one. (below, to the right) The original levi, built in the '50s, still intact on the other side. (below, to the left)

 

The windows are still boarded to help protect the building from the floods. On the brick wall, there are yellowish lines, stained by the sitting waters.

To be complete honest, I am shocked and disappointed that the destruction and devastation left by Katrina, has been allowed to continue on for as long as it has. People are still homeless, businesses are still trying to bounce back, and neighborhoods are still trying to heal.  The tour guides at the swamps, the plantations, the city, etc., all discussed the devastation left by Katrina, and how they are still trying to get back onto their feet. We heard a lot of "well before Katrina we were ok, but now, we are still struggling." Most have seemed to have lost faith in their Gov, and honestly, can you blame them? They even said that the disaster relief effort never reached the hands of the poor families effected. Really, this is a shame.  A huge shame on our country.

At the same time, many of the locals also expressed a certain disappointment on how people, especially many of the poorer people, had failed to stay and rebuild their communities. Most of them left their properties, and never came back. On the other hand, many also reflected their opinions on how many residents remain too dependent on the government to rebuild their lives. But even here there was a large disconnect here, that brought a whole other layer to this situation.  The lack of action during the time the citizens needed it the most, had seemed to further cement the distrust of government, as well as a general feeling of helplessness and apathy.  There is a lot involved and to consider, and it is an interesting, and terrible dilemma. 

All of over the city, and even in the surrounding areas, you could still see and feel the scars of hurricane Katrina, as well as the others that have passed through since. 

Here, one of the houses in the 9th ward (which was flooded when the levi broke) still holds the markings made by search ans rescue teams as they searched, house by house, for any still trapped. At the top of the X, the team wrote the date searched, and the bottom, how many bodies were pulled out.

To the left of the house, lies the foundation and stilts of a house that was swept away. (above left) Here are new houses being built by charitey orgs.... Organizations led by Brad Pitt. The houses are trendy, but also highly efficient and green. They have solar panels to help reduce utilities costs, and are built above the ground, ready to float if the same area were to flood again. 

The blue poles, show high high the water levels were at the time of the flooding, as well as the height in the days and weeks to follow.

A make-shift memorial that reads:

Robert Lynn Green Sr. 

Joyce Hilda Green- US Citizen
11/08/31 to 08/29/05 1:00PM
US Airforce (25 Years 8/12/1980)

Shanai "Nai Nai" Green
04/11/02 to 08/29/05 4:30 AM

We want our country to love us
As much as we love our country.
The strength of our country belongs to us all.
Mr. Bush, Rebuild New Orleans, The Lower 9th Ward, Cross the canal, Tennessee Street.
Not Iraq.

The Super Dome rebuilt.

The boat left from Katrina, but the coffin a new addition, swept up by the last hurricane.

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I realized after, that the city tour we took, had us peering into the misfortunes of many, as if they were some sort of side show act. People are still living there, and dealing with the destruction left.  Still, to be able to see the damage and destruction up close, leaves with a clearer understanding for what went on in 2005.  

New Orleans, LA: Plantations

Visiting the plantations was an awesome and memorable trip, not only because of the sheer beauty of the houses, but because of the history, the pain, and the struggles that took place within the grounds of the plantations.

The first we visited was the Laura Plantation.  The family that had owned it was a Creole family, and yet they owned slaves. Creole is a term used in reference to someone from French or Spanish descent.  Its application was very widespread though, and could be used in reference to someone of full descent, or racially mixed.  In this case, European, Native American, and West African were in the mix.  

Slave Quarters. 

Some of the few remaining. We were able to go inside, and see the conditions of the house. 

The second house we only got to see the outside of, but that was certainly enough.  It is called the Oak Alley Plantation, because of the Oaks that line the pathway to the house, and surround the house.

New Orleans, LA: Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is probably the most universally recognized street in New Orleans, and it was one that we had to visit. Still, the locals try their best to stay away from the street, seeing it mostly for what it is, nothing more than a disgusting tourist trap. I hate to be so judgmental towards a place, especially since I don't fully understand it, but this street truly did shock me. There is a stench about it, mostly left over from the partying and drinking, which is fueled by the fact that alcohol is definitely cheap and always around. Sex is cheap, and openly marketed, there are some things that are just burned into my mind. It is a reality of the city, but I didn't much care for it.  I am interested in coming back and learning more though.  

You wouldn't want to be alive...

"You wouldn't want to be alive when a conqueror is trying to establish his name."

- History Channel, Looking for Ghangis Khan's Tomb

Long Beach, CA: Pride Parade

I know, I am holding the sign upside down... It is a gift really.  

On May 22, 2011, Long Beach, CA, held its annual Gay Pride Parade.  I went to support and help out the organization I work with, but to be completely honest, I was very much out of my element, and very conflicted.

Attending a Christian private university, and growing up Christian (catholic), we are taught that homosexuality is not a lifestyle that believing and active Christians take part in.  I did, and still do, fully believe in the bible, and in my faith, but was conflicted on many of the statements in it.  In the end, I decided to help out, because, (a) regardless of my faith, we are all common people struggling to make it in the world, and we need each other, and (b) I realized that I had been judging/observing a group from the sidelines, that I knew nothing about.  So I went.  I didn't share my internal conflict with too many people, but I wanted to help, and I wanted to learn.

We passed out our hotlines, along with other domestic violence shelters and Aids awareness organizations, to help spread the word that we are there to help within the Long Beach community. 

I have marched in plenty parades before, but I had the most fun at this one.  The atmosphere was comfortable, and overall, I just felt accepted.  It was pretty awesome, really. 

The one problem I did have, and many others seemed to comment on this as well, was the overwhelming presence of sexuality sprinkled throughout the parade.  I did not find it productive to advertise strip clubs, penises, or S&M in a parade.  My director asked one S&M group, "so what is the purpose of your entry?"  Their response was essentially to show that we do what we want.  But, there were children and families present.  There are some adult lifestyles and activities that should remain with adults because of the nature of the activity, and these are some of them.   Call me a prude, I don't care, but I am sticking to that.  

I also found the presence of religion at the parade interesting.  There was a church group actually marching in the parade, with signs of acceptance and love.... and of course, controversial theology. It was interesting to see the responses to them- Many people didn't know how to respond at all.  Then, there were groups and churches protesting and yelling on sidelines... you know, to inform them that they were going to hell and all, in case they didn't know. (fyi, that's sarcasm)  

Overall, I am glad I did it, and if I ever have the opportunity to do it again, I would.  

Grand Canyon, AZ