So! It is the end of two work days here in New Orleans, Louisiana, and so far it has been pretty interesting. I have been working with Ebelio, Genna, Krystine, Amanda, and Angela, and I think we are a great group-- everyone seems really cool and I am excited to get to know them some more over the remainder of the trip. We have been working in conjunction with groups five and seven at a food bank / mobile kitchen called Just the Right Attitude. So far, we have helped put together food packages containing mostly non-perishable items such as pasta, canned soup, canned vegetables, peanut butter, etc. for the local displaced community. We have also helped to prepare lunch (yesterday was spaghetti and meatballs, today was rice with sausage and beans!) for those in need of a warm meal. It is fascinating (and rather sad) to see the families who come to get them, especially ones with young children and especially since so many of them are senior citizens. The people who run JTRA are very friendly and have wonderful attitudes towards their job-- apparently some of the food that the kitchen runs on is provided out of pocket by the people, according to one of the women we worked with today. I think that is pretty admirable, and I am impressed with the self-sacrifice and enthusiasm with which they serve.

I am looking forward to the rest of the trip, especially the gutting portion, and meeting the affected community members-- that is, working with POC and at the historical home. At the team leader meeting, the other team leaders shared their safety concerns, and it has made me feel a bit worried about the future activities. As much as I want us to get a first hand look at the situation here, I want us all to be able to get home safely too!

Hope I will get a chance to blog again!

-Christa