Leslie- from Sunday 5/28/06

Sunday 5/28/2006

"Southern Hospitality"

I needed time to myself to relax and reflect on my week and I also had some homework to do for my internship. I went to Starbucks, which is about a 20 minute walk from "base." I don't appreciate those little luxuries of life until you're sitting there in the big comfy chair drinking your coffee. Don't get me wrong, most of the city is still in ruins but we're in the area that only had wind damage- no flooding.

I decided to take a cab back because it was dark and it was unsafe for me to walk back by myself that late. I called the cab company around 8pm and they told me a cab would be at Starbucks within 5-10 minutes. Well, 8:10 came... 8:15, 8:20, 8:25, 8:30... so I called the cab company again. They said it would be entered again and it would be another 5-10 minutes. By 9pm I was in a panic, I mean, I was stranded in a foreign city. I walked across the street to the gas station and saw a cab driver filling up his tank. I asked him where he was going and it was nowhere near where I needed to go. At that point despite my attempts to hold them back, I burst into tears. The driver told me to come on and ride along. He would make an extra trip because it upset him to see me crying.

I got in the car and he asked me where I needed to go and I told him the address and said "Hands On." When he rememered what Hands On was, he told me his wife of 45 years drowned in Katrina and his house was completely flattened - he lost everything. He was talking to me quite a bit about Katrina's aftermath the time we were in the car and how it affected him. When he dropped me off at my street I asked him how much I owed him and he just chuckled and said "You're down here helping us... you're one of the few. From now on if I happen to drive you again it's always on the house." He waited to make sure that I got inside safely before driving away. I had felt so unsafe on that street corner waiting for my cab and was in so much distress. He was able to calm me down and also share with me his story. I returned to Hands On feeling better that night, I had so much appreciation for that man and the city of New Orleans. It didn't take much looking to find someone who was willing to lend me a helping hand. I have experienced so much gratitude from the people here. I am constantly wondering why so many others neglect to help. I know that their spirits are shaken but I respect that they are still this strong.

New Orleans, thank you for welcoming me into your city.