NOLA

IT'S THURSDAY ALREADY!!!
We have been with out internet since night #1 so there is tons to report. AMAZING service work has been happening -- just to recap some of the work we have been doing.... painting, priming, scraping, local schools, landscaping, digging, planting, in parks and schools, replacing light bulbs for eco-friendly ones/ making community connections, insulating, painting, rebuilding private homes/ making community connections, setting up mail boxes (yay, now people can get their bills!) working with animals in the rescue shelter (Jenni-Marie is taking them all home)... And the thank you's! People on the street who see us working, shouts from bus windows and passing cars, the kids who put up with us in their school all day, -- most memorable for me came from a teacher of 18 years at the elementary school we have been at ..."your being here reminds the children they are not forgotten by the rest of the world."
We have met some AMAZING people here - so giving, so selfless.. our first night - during the late night hotel confusion (see blog one) a man we met on the street at 3 am -- offered us his tent in the "village" under the freeway compiled of people with no homes... another example is the people who work here at Hands On New Orleans who do this work day in and day out! simply incredible.
The culture here is so rich and full of life, it is truly living history.
On the off hours we have seen the french quarters, amazing live music (EVERYWHERE), had our fortunes told, eaten incredible cuisine (even here at Hands on Kitchen -- aka Emma's dance party) and seen the NBA in action. Too much to do, too little time. The energy and atmosphere is contagious. Most of us are not ready to leave tomorrow. unfinished projects and relationships newly formed will keep a piece of our selves here in NOLA. we bid it a sad farewell in the morning. most of us have already planned a trip to return... we heart NOLA.

NOLA

We are NOLA! Jenni-Marie, Johnny T., Kyla, Heather, Charlotte, Justin, Courtney and Courtney

So it has been an interesting trip so far - canceled flights, wrong addresses, awesome cab drivers, great and creepy hotel lobbyists... already filled hotel rooms! no rest till 4:00am!! But we're here and exhausted! Meeting new people every second. We have plans to head to the French Quarter 2 nite - then tomorrow the real work begins! Plans to paint local elementary schools! Can't wait more to report tomorrow!