Presbyter and Cabildo

Hurricane Katrina is something everyone is aware of. There is no way around not knowing the devastation that this natural cause had endowed upon the city. It's more real when you see it in person. Hearing the encounters after the storm. The mess, devastation, and the rotten stench that bestowed upon the 9th ward. People were dead. Animals were dead. And others were hanging on. Trying to survive. With no water. No food. No access to a clean water source. Everything eliminated. Nothing was left. Their lives were in shambles. This hurricane brought the people of the city together. It brought the people of the country together. It's amazing how many good people are actually out there willing to donate their time and money to get this town back up and running. Chills envelope my body as I recap on the stories that were told. The horrific events during and following the disaster. 

Many people to rescuing others into their own hands. Regardless of the prior history between the friendships and enemies, people pulled together. This integration of an eclectic group of individuals created a heroic response in the efforts to battle Katrina pre and post.

Others involved themselves as well. FEMA, the Coast Guard, Military Personnel and medical professionals. Each had their own role to play in simmering the maddening that was developing in this part of the world. Without the first responders, whether professional or not, many would not be a live today.

A story of man who wrote his wifes hotel, room number, hotel number, his full name, blood type and social security number on a pair of the jeans he was wearing. He thought he wouldn’t make it and wanted to make sure someone was able to identify him and notify his wife. As heart wrenching as that is to even imagine going through the pain of having to plan for your death, he was one of the fortunate ones that survived.

The Cabildo. From the pioneers, to the military and political participants that shaped New Orleans. All these wonderful stories come together at the Cabildo creating a historical story of life as it was then. There was an overabundance of information and things to read and learn about. I do have to say that my favorite part of the museum was the portrait of Andrew Jackson’s mistress. It leaves me questioning, where is the portrait of his wife?