the french quarter

Sunday is still an arrival and training day for the FEMA camp, and while hundreds of new volunteers poured into our camp, we took the opportunity to see the famous French Quarter of New Orleans - an area largely untouched by the effects of Katrina.

In smaller groups, we explored street art, tea shops, live harmonica, the Cafe Du Monde (coffee with chicory!), horse drawn carriages, and the waterfront. The music and crowds make our destroyed part of town seem all the more lifeless; the contrast makes us feel like we've stepped to a different city.
Tommorrow morning won't be like this. Wake up time is 6am or before... we must have breakfast and in full gear ready to report to Samaritan's Purse at 7am. We had a short meeting at 8:15pm in tent 4A to cover the details. We won't know much about the houses until we arrive, but we are told that we will be in contact with house owners by phone, or for some - in person. We prayed tonight for strong hands and strong hearts. Here we go.