100,000,000,000,000 cool points to our class and New Orleans!

When I sit down to write- whether papers or blogs- I often stare at the paper for a long time before I can think of anything to write. However, when I started this blog, the opposite happened. I kept writing different beginnings of the blog. Which was the most important (mis)adventure? What outing had the most effect on me? What did I learn about the city?

At one point, my plan was to write about the song “Good Morning,” which was sung almost every day on the trip. Then, Sarah Blake and I saw “Singin in the Rain” for the first time and heard the full song, complete with a dance! The fact that something that had become a daily routine for our group was brought up in an outing was so summarizing of our trip! Everything in this city, as eclectic and crazy as it is, seems to feel connected. A couple of times, our group has described it as a city with a small town feel. People know each other and want to get to know their neighbors and coworkers. This feel of connectedness within the city and to the city was one thing that I found particularly moving.

After I had written the beginning of the blog about connectedness, I listened to “When You’re Smiling” and erased it all. I knew that I had to write my blog about how the culture drew me into it. I often joked that I have to marry a Cajun man – one that knows how to cook and sing, of course- but there’s some seriousness behind it. The lifestyle in New Orleans, as bizarre as it is, is captivating! If I could, I would make every person in the world eat a brunch at Arnoud’s while being serenaded by Louis Armstrong’s last student (yes- that happened to us!) I think the whole world would be happier if there were giant loud speakers always playing the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and if every Monday, everyone ate red beans and rice and crawfish on the Mississippi River. Simply put, I love the culture of this city.

While I was writing this, though, I was taking periodic breaks to sing and laugh with our group. I can’t begin to explain how great our class was.  We had troopers who dealt with food that was outside of their comfort zones, gigglers, and GREAT discussions! It was so nice to be in a group of people who can switch from laughing and playing “Bang!” to having intense conversations about the dynamics of the city and what needs to be done. The fact that I was able to sing along to “Wicked,” sob at an art museum, and take part in constant photo shoots in the van and never be alone in doing so was fantastic! I would really like to thank everyone for being so “flippin fantastic!” on this trip. I’ll take all of you!!!