Disaster Assignment and First Project

When last week began, our plan was to have our project clearance meeting Monday, have our induction ceremony Tuesday, and leave for Chalmette, Louisiana for our first project on Wednesday. *Disclaimer- we were told repeatedly in our interviews that flexibility was a key attribute necessary for being in NCCC. Monday afternoon, ten minutes before our clearance meeting, we found out that we would instead be leaving right after induction on Tuesday to head to New Orleans on a disaster project. So instead of having two nights to pack, prepare, and say our goodbyes, we had less than 24 hours. So we washed our van, grabbed our tools, put on our big boy/girl panties and got to work packing the next six weeks of our lives into one red bag about the size of a backpacking pack and one backpack. Needless to say, stress was running somewhat strong for the team as we attempted to complete a tri-fold poster for induction, clean our rooms and kitchen, and prepare to leave for a disaster project we knew almost nothing about. So Tuesday morning we sat down with the big whigs of Vicksburg and the National Service family, got inducted, and headed out for Lefitte, Louisiana. Wednesday morning, we unloaded a truck full of food, water, and toiletries donated by Peyton and Eli Manning. In total, we unloaded 800 boxes and 286 cases of water and distributed them to families affected by the oil spill. Lafitte is primarily a fishing town, so many of its residents have been severely affected by the spill, both directly and indirectly. We watched as families of all ethnicities and social classes came to gratefully receive food and supplies to help aid them through their tough times. Many of the fisherman are finally returning to work, but the 3 plus months without significant income has put them severely behind. At the end of the day, all of the boxes and water were distributed and we headed out for our new housing in Chalmette, Louisiana, about 15 minutes from New Orleans. We have since begun training with the St. Bernard Project to be site supervisors in the rebuilding of housing interiors destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. I will go into further detail on the St. Bernard Project and our training as time goes on. Now, to the bullet points.

• The drive to New Orleans over the water is absolutely amazing. Quite similar to what I saw driving to Key West a few months ago, though the water is not as clear. The sight of being completely surround by water with the exception of the bridge you are traveling on is breathtaking.
• Bourbon Street is absolutely nuts. I have never seen a crazier place in my life.
• I haven't yet had a beignet, but will hopefully change that by the end of the week.
• The team that was here before us left our house absolutely trashed. The last thing we wanted to do after 7 hours working in the sun was spend 3 hours cleaning up another team's mess. Oh well, we did it and the house is actually really nice now.
• The neighbors here are really friendly. As we were doing some yard work yesterday, one guy came over and edged the lawn for us, and another brought us a big broom to sweep away all the grass. We were told about the extreme sense of community here that existed even before the storm, and it has been very evident in just the first couple days.
• I'm not feeling very profound today, so I will be back with more when I feel something interesting coming on.
• War Damn Eagle! Cam Newton is a beast.