Hard to watch... Eager to go - Britt Aydelotte

This is the 3rd time I've watched "When the Levees Broke" and with each time it gets harder. I have been down enough times now that I recognize some of the areas in the video. I associate the images with the stories I have personally heard each time there. I cringe when I see the neighborhoods I've worked. It is unreal.

The video for me is a reminder of all of the problems that stemmed from the hurricane. Not only the flooding and loss of life, but the displacement and separation of families, the inappropriate response from the US government, and the lack of support all of the people felt. It is also, more importantly, a reminder of the strength of the people who survived, the strength people who took it upon themselves to help their neighbors, the spirit which still lives, the people who have been there to help since, and motivation to continue to rebuild and spread the word that 4 1/2 years later, you can still count the number of houses in the lower 9th ward on your hands and feet.

After having been to NOLA 3 times already I know what the city looks like now (as of May 2009) and I've gotten to know the city itself. In preparation for this trip, I took a map and plotted all of the places Bonners have worked on our trips; this made the city seem much smaller and gave a story to each section of the city.

I am looking forward sharing all of my past experiences with everyone while we are down there and share some new ones. As Ryan mentioned in his post, it really will bring the group closer and I'm excited to get to know everyone better (including myself). I look forward to the conversation we will have about the city, the people, the response, and the fun. I look forward to helping another family get back into their home. I am interested to see how the city has changed and how the education system is doing. I am eager to meet more people from NOLA and hear their stories.

Prior Thoughts- Ryan Gale

Having already been to New Orleans once last year, I kind of know what to expect as far as the experiences and work and such. However, I am interested to see if any progress has been made around the outskirts of New Orleans (aka the Lower 9th). Also, the site manager I worked with last year is still down there with PDA, and I am looking forward to seeing him, and possibly working with him again. I am highly anticipating the drive with mixed emotions. Having just driven back and forth to Florida within a week, I am looking forward to a break before the trip. I am very excited to be able to do this kind of work and to be able to help those that so many in America have forgotten about. Besides the work and service down there, I am also looking forward to going to downtown New Orleans, seeing the French Quarter, eating the famous cajun food and the scavenger hunt. Moreover, last year, the trip helped bring together my class as whole, and for everyone to enjoy the company of everyone else. I hope that this also happens to this freshman class. Furthermore, I hope to grow closer to some of the freshman that I have not served with and gotten to know. Although there is still a few weeks before the trip, I am really looking forward to it, and hopefully will be able to hear some personal experiences of the storm as we did last year.