Day 2: Habitat and the City

Day 2: City on City on City

Today, Roanoke College Habitat for Humanity made its triumphant return to New Orleans for the first time since January 2012.

Compared to prior experiences, the city was relatively tame today. For example, on our last visit, we combated the crowds for an LSU-Alabama football game. No such crowds today. Which made things more manageable, but, at the same time significantly less catastrophically entertaining.

Regardless, we started our day with beignets at the Cafe Du Monte, which were delicious, and of course accompanying dancing and a few bird attacks. (There was another cafe, the Cafe Beignet. Those that tried it thought it was better than the Cafe Du Monte. Regardless, breakfast in NOLA clearly kicks butt.)

From there, groups split up.

Among the activities for the day were:

•  The consumption of gumbo and Po-Boys.
•  Business enterprises at various small shops.
•  The taking in of local cultural elements. (Perhaps this was vice versa. No comment.)
•  The visitation of a cathedral. 
•  The taking of awkward pictures.
•  And, of course, two words: Bourbon Street 
  

New Orleans needs too many words for us to put down on the page. Whether it be with Habitat or for any other reason, COME VISIT NOLA.

After our New Orleans travels, we returned to Prince of Peace Lutheran. We had dinner (one group got to eat dinner first, because they knew French better...).

And then the group found its cool-down activity. During trips to South Carolina, we play volleyball and cornhole. In New Orleans, we play a delightful fusion of dodge ball and four-square. Incorporating a basketball and players from a number of other groups at the camp, it turned into quite the competition.

The last two days, we've been blessed to see the fun sides of New Orleans. But even with the fun, it's easy to see that there's still so much that the city needs for help and support. Another of our day's activities was talking to locals and hearing their stories. And, while everyone has a Katrina story, everyone has an inconquerable hope and gladness to see us.

Tomorrow, we get to help them.

In other words, we have to do work tomorrow. What, exactly, remains to be seen. But we're excited!

Picture update: We have lots. Unfortunately we don't have a solid computer to share them with y'all. Check back tomorrow. :)


So, until the N.O. PO locks us up,
Mollie Gleason and Andrew Dittmar
Guest contributor: Timothy Wolfe

#RoCoNOLA013