2011 Students in New Orleans!

On Thursday, July 14th, the 2011 Pangaea Project Summer Program students embarked upon their journey to the gulf coast states of Louisiana and Mississippi, arriving first in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The group of 10 students and 2 trip leaders will spend the next two and a half weeks performing service projects related to post-Hurricane Katrina rebuild efforts, and learning more about community mobilization and grassroots leadership.

The first day in New Orleans, the students worked at the St. Bernard Community Center handing out food boxes to elderly residents of the neighborhood.  St. Bernard and the Lower 9th Ward lost 93% of homes in Hurricane Katrina, and efforts to return long-time residents to these neighborhoods have been challenging due to limited funds available for rebuilding.  It was a day filled with amazing interactions between the students and the neighborhood residents and the students commented throughout the day about, “how nice everyone is!”.  Additionally, once people hear that our group is here to volunteer, many almost immediately open up with their own stories of Katrina and the devastating impact the hurricane had on them personally, on their neighborhood, and on New Orleans as a whole.  These stories provide a context for the students’ work that is more meaningful than any film or text could be. They are truly getting a feel for what southern hospitality is while experiencing, first hand, the great impact small acts of service can have on people who need it.

This is a fantastic group of young people. They are figuring out the unique dynamics of being 10 very diverse individuals who come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences with edgy grace.  Despite coming into our first day of work with little to no sleep, they did what needed doing, expressed gratitude along the way and excitement by day’s end that this adventure was just beginning.

Below please read the students’ initial reactions to getting off the plane Thursday in New Orleans.

Austin:

The windows had fogged up with moisture as hastily as my excitement waved goodbye and left me solemnly. People herded themselves out of the plane, happily chatting as they absentmindedly followed the parade of people; a constant game of follow the leader with an ever changing drum major. Marching on dutifully, they arrived at the baggage claim, sweat perspiring on their foreheads, like blood from a thin precise wound, as the beastly humidity tore at them with its hot muggy claws. As I stood about shooting assurance texts to my closest relatives,  making catty remarks about the airport’s tacky appearance, and observing my travel worn features in a bit of reflective metal; I noticed something that waded me into my immersion pool of comfort–the accents. Beautiful and melodic, the aged voice of the south spoke to me through more than just words. Culture and general southern sophistication dabbed with a fine hint of trailer park living and rough times, the voices melded into a tantric backdrop. It was beautiful and haunting, shockingly familiar, assuring and peaceful. It was my first taste of the south, and I yearn for more.

Amber:

When I initially landed in New Orleans the first thought that came to mind was “LET ME OFF HERE SO MY EARS CAN STOP POPPING!!”, but after that I was really excited because its been going on five years since I’ve been  back home in the south. So many memories came to mind, it almost brought tears to my eyes. Stepping off the plane it was really muggy, but I didn’t have any excuse to complain because this is what I grew up in.

Mike:

The first smell right as we stepped off smelled like a straight swamp. I noticed the windows were all steamed up and I didn’t realize how bad the humidity was until I took that first step out of the airport. It felt like I got glazed over immediately. It was unreal at first. I didn’t realize how different the people were going to be though. There accents were from a movie about the swamp. I’m intrigued by them and can’t wait to get to know more!

Lucy:

My first reaction landing to New Orleans was scary I didn’t see enough lights, but when we got off the airplane I felt like some one had opened an oven door. When the cab came to get us the exploring began. I saw houses destroyed and they had boards on the windows. They had a big sign in them that said keep out. At that moment I felt sadness in my heart, it made me think about all the people that have suffered from losing a loved one or even their properties that one day they had called home. Driving down the interstate and going into the street made me think about people’s good and sad memories.

Morgan:

My initial reaction to landing was that it felt like the locker room in a public swimming pool. It was muggy and just smelled of stale water, but it wasn’t all too bad. I have a feeling that it just felt bad in comparison to the air conditioned plane that we had just been on for four hours. In the airport, as well as around the city now that we’ve been here for almost 24 hours, I noticed the reoccurring theme of the fleur de leis (sp), which I immediately recognized as the symbol for the New Orleans saints. This is a city, I have noticed, which takes pride in their culture and things like their football team. The air just felt like a blanket, like a greenhouse, like something hot and wet and muggy, but overall it wasn’t intolerable. I actually kind of liked it. When we would see the rain, though, it was a little bit trippy. I’m used to stepping out into the rain and having it be colder than inside, having it be an escape, but instead it was hotter every time. It worked in my favour, though, because I could step out and get wet and go back inside and it was colder than before. Overall, I actually really like it. It’s warm, yeah, but I really like it.

Alex:

What I felt as soon as I landed in New Orleans was relief, I was glad to finally be here after the long wait. My second feeling was regret, kind of. I did not enjoy the humidity at all, mainly because it was 2 in the morning and I knew it would get way worse. It smelled like I was in a sauna, it felt like that as well. We didn’t hear much since we landed at 2 am.

Tihara:

When I got off my initial reaction was ‘OMGEE I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M HERE!’ I felt the heat when I first walked out the airport, but the palm trees I saw were beautiful. I may not be able to see my family but I get to experience something different and get the feel of it. I always feel sticky and clammy all over but it’s a good sticky and clammy. Even today it still doesn’t feel REAL. It feels like a dream, I’m just waiting to wake up.

Sage :

When I first got off the plane it was weird because all I could think about was the humidity change and the smell. It felt like I had just been dunked in a swamp and that’s really the only way I can describe the smell as well. The volunteer camp is weird I feel like I’m gonna shout something obscene and get us kicked out but as long as they don’t try to push anything I wont try to push back. SEEEWW-WOOOP

Katie:

My first reaction was WOW, this is hot! But it was awesome because there were thunder storms happening! The smell was pretty weird? It’s like you can actually smell the humidity in the air? Like every breathe felt and smelled hot compared toPortland. There isn’t anything specifically I’m glad I left behind, I’m just over all excited to be out of my comfort zone and trying new things.

Daphne:

My initial reaction to arriving in New Orleanswas that it was VERY muggy and humid. The air smelled like a swamp. In the airport there was a picture that described a very typicalNew Orleans, a painting of a marching band with trumpets and such. The first thing I saw when I got out of the airport was a giant spider that was nested in a corner of the building. It was a nice greeting.

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