Inspiration Drowned in Tears of Emotion

If pictures are worth a thousand words, then why do I have thousands of pictures and no words? Although I have wonderful memories of the past three weeks in New Orleans, I’ve had a hard time finding the words to tell my story. Fortunately, Team H’s Food for Thought questions last night sparked some inspiration drowned in tears of emotion.

 

Where is your favorite place in New Orleans or the place you feel most comfortable?

While it may not be the most visited stop on the tourists’ guide to the city, my favorite place in New Orleans is sitting around the table at the Depot House when the whole gang is eating dinner. I love tasting the food choices each team devised to cook for the night and hearing the day’s discoveries. Each group member had a different outlook on the city and by sharing the day’s events over dinner I could build on my own experiences.

 

The “last dinner” was especially meaningful to me because I sat back, listened to what other’s learned from the city, and realized that we have become a family. I will truly miss the city, the friends I’ve made, and the inside jokes that no one at home will ever understand.

 

Give one word to describe New Orleans.

Eclectic.

 

Which individual influenced you the most?

I loved meeting the various people who came to New Orleans though AmeriCorps. I enjoyed hearing their stories of how NOLA has touched their hearts while they attempt to change other’s lives. Most importantly, meeting these young men and women and seeing what they have accomplished gave me a glimpse inside AmeriCorps life. I suddenly realized that that is what I want to do. I want to get paid minimum wage, live at the poverty level, and touch as many lives as I can.

 

If you were to bring one person back to the city, who would it be and what would you show them?

I would definitely bring my sister. I would show her every aspect of the city. From the food, to the music, to the most important aspect: the neighborhoods and communities that are still in need of help. I would show every work site from the past three weeks and see how far they’ve come since our visit.

 

By sharing our group’s story from the past few weeks, I hope to bring attention back to the recovering city of New Orleans. Recover, rebuild, renew.