Today, Sunday, we went back to the French Quarter where we had the day off in preparation for our 4 day stretch of gutting houses. First we went to a museum next to the famous cathedral where there was a display of photographs taken of the damage after hurricane Katrina. The pictures were very moving and well done.
Next we met two Bucknell graduates who work for a civil and environmental engineering firm that has an office in New Orleans. Most of the office's efforts are directed towards rebuilding and recovery of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. They gave us a presentation on what happened and what they were doing and bought us lunch.
Later that day most of the team went to an IMAX about the hurricanes effects on the wetlands at the mouth of the Mississippi. Seeing actual video of the storm and its aftermath I found much more moving than the pictures from earlier in the day and reminded me why I was there. It also made me think about not only the physical impact of the storm but also the emotional impact on the people who survived.
Later that day I caroled in Jackson Square and then went to a jazz club. This was great. The band was a family band that had been playing classic jazz covers for years. Everyone there was lost in the music and dancing. The great music and people really gave me a great look into what New Orleans is all about.
