On the morning of the last day we spent in New Orleans my roommates and I cleaned up our hotel room and packed our suitcases. We walked out of the hotel and headed for the street car we had come accustomed to riding during our time spent here. We got off at Dumaine station so we could meet everyone at Cafe de Monde. While we were walking to the front of the cafe we saw the biggest pile of feces and Jessica proceeded to gag almost to the point of puking. We were all dying laughing at that point. That pretty much sums up the way this trip has gone, seeing something totally unexpected and laughing hysterically. I wish I would have thought quick enough to snap a picture of the scene because it was that hilarious. After talking with Colleen and receiving our final assignment we wondered off to Jackson Square and handed off our left over beignets to a homeless man on the way. This had become a norm for us to do with our leftovers during this trip. New Orleans has many homeless individuals but most are so kind and thankful for any deed you do. Throughout this trip I have liked pretty much every location or place we have visited but out of all I think my favorite would have to be Jackson Square. The things you see here range from the homeless sitting on the benches, tarot card readings, musicians performing and artists selling their work. You don't see the same things every day that you come so it literally is a surprise each time you walk through. It's amazing a city like this exists and law enforcement doesn't force these people out like I would expect in Peoria. I really love the array of people you find in Jackson Square and there is no judgment. One of the last days we were in New Orleans we were in Jackson Square and the weather was perfect. As we sat on the cathedral steps in the beautiful sun and listened to a local artist sing and play his guitar while his wife played the drums I thought to myself I could sit here forever and be content. I truly understand why so many people move here after visiting it. There is no place as unique as New Orleans. As I write this back in Peoria, I already miss this place. I'm not one to become attached to a place especially one so busy as New Orleans, but I can say I have fallen in love and cannot wait to go back. I have already told my family members they need to visit New Orleans and I already plan on taking my son who loves music and art. Even though this city isn't perfect or the cleanest place on earth I can't complain because the good by far out ways the bad. I have never been somewhere like New Orleans and recommend everyone visit it at least once because it truly changes your outlook on humanity. The way these people live and accept is a beautiful thing. It doesn't matter what you are trying to succeed at in New Orleans they are a community that supports one another.
My favorite part of the class would probably be going to the Presbytere. I never was truly impacted by Katrina even though I was in high school when it happened. When something major like that happens but it doesn't directly affect you I think people can distant it and not feel the pain. Going through that museum and seeing pictures of places we had walked by during the trip really shocked me. Honestly looking at New Orleans today you wouldn't necessarily know how much they were affected in 2005. This city is amazing at how much support they gave one another to rebuild such an amazing place. I am so thankful and humbled by the work they did because if they hadn't I may not have been able to come visit and see what an amazing place New Orleans is.
I honestly think my favorite part of the trip cannot be narrowed down to just one thing. All the tours and experiences we had aided in the love I now have for New Orleans. Some of the experiences we have I can say I would have never gotten if I would have taken this trip outside of school. I learned about their foods, music, history and other random but awesome things. I thought the pharmacy tour was awesome and so interesting. Especially from a nursing point of view. It also makes me really happy to live now and not back then. Ha. These people are so unique in every way. You have musicians, artists, etc and they all are here to follow their dreams be apart of something greater than just going through life everyday. They are amazing! Simply put. I didn't think I would be so affected by just a city and feel so much respect and love for it. New Orleans definitely did that for me and I cannot wait to come back.
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