One evening while enjoying a relaxing evening in my hotel room after a long day exploring the wonders of New Orleans I heard a ruckus outside my window. Peoples voices shouting in a joyous chorus. Then a rhythmic thud,boom, thud began among the joyous cries, I could feel the vibrations through the windows and walls. Hurriedly my roommates and I ran to the window to find out what was causing this explosion of noise. To our great surprise there was a parade outside our window. I wonderful brass band was leading the way, following behind them in perfect sequence with the beat of the music was a woman dressed all in white, a silk ballgown that was laying gently off her shoulders, in her hand was a delicate umbrella that matched her dress. Next to this glittering woman in white was her gallant prince, dressed in a suit befitting royalty. To compliment her white umbrella he hand in his hand a black on to match his suit. Behind this happy couple was an entire parade of people hollering and jumping to the beat of the band. In their hands they had what appeared to be table napkins, they held them high in the air like flags of victory. For a minute we just stared in wonder at the site before our eyes, then it donned on all of us, we were seeing a New Orleans wedding.
It was a beautiful site to behold, a couple so in love that their passion was overflowing into the streets and buildings around them. What a beautiful idea to not only share your commitment with your friends and family but with the whole city around you. I think everyone should at least see a New Orleans wedding at some point in their lives.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Reflecting on the Trip
My favorite part of this trip was getting to truly experience the culture of New Orleans. Walking down the street, hearing the soulful singing of the local musicians in concert with trumpets, clarinets, and other instruments. Creating an atmosphere of vibrating energy that stimulates each cell in my body.
I loved strolling through the French Quarter smelling the cajun spices and having the southern seasonings tickle my nose and causing my mouth to water. My favorite part of the trip was getting to immerse myself in the culture and lifestyle of the New Orleans people.
My favorite part of the class was all the learning. I grew up on the coast in a similar culture, however I never learned so much about New Orleans as I had on this trip. I learned about the meaning that death and dying has for the New Orleans culture. Through all the tours I learned that the long history of death and sickness has developed a culture of living in the moment for these vibrant people. I beyond enjoyed the Cuisine tour. This tour allowed us to taste New Orleans through the different types of food that this diverse city has to offer. Not only are there uniquely Cajun dishes such as Gumbo and jambalaya, but there is fresh seafood and delicious southern dishes such as chicken and waffles and brisket.
I loved strolling through the French Quarter smelling the cajun spices and having the southern seasonings tickle my nose and causing my mouth to water. My favorite part of the trip was getting to immerse myself in the culture and lifestyle of the New Orleans people.
My favorite part of the class was all the learning. I grew up on the coast in a similar culture, however I never learned so much about New Orleans as I had on this trip. I learned about the meaning that death and dying has for the New Orleans culture. Through all the tours I learned that the long history of death and sickness has developed a culture of living in the moment for these vibrant people. I beyond enjoyed the Cuisine tour. This tour allowed us to taste New Orleans through the different types of food that this diverse city has to offer. Not only are there uniquely Cajun dishes such as Gumbo and jambalaya, but there is fresh seafood and delicious southern dishes such as chicken and waffles and brisket.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
last day in New Orleans
At any point in the day you can walk through the square and hear live music of all types, there are performances of all kinds, and mediums and gypsies to read your cards or palm.
To truly experience the city of New Orleans you must go to the square, the people in the square truly represent the city. There are people in detailed costumes displaying their talents for tips, there are people in traditional period clothing simply walking around adding to the environment of tradition and excitement.
The square is filled with tempting smells from the surrounding Cajun and French restaurants. There were days that I spent every free moment in the square, with the delicious food and traditional architecture of the French Quarter, the live music and singing, the dancing and art works from all the local genius. I truly feel that to experience all the New Orleans s has to offer in one place is impossible, but the closest it will ever come in my opinion is the square.
Monday, December 21, 2015
cabildo
The cabildo is the building on the left hand side of the st. Louis cathedral. Many years ago it was used as housing for the clergy, however today it is a museum filled with the vast history of the New Orleans people.
The top floor was my favorite part of the museum, it was filled with stories and artifacts related to slave life in the pre-civil war New Orleans. There was a large block of wood near the entrance to the exhibit, a sales block. My heart began to ache for the poor souls whose lives had lead to this block. Families were torn apart on this block, lives ended on this block. To touch it sent chills down my spine.
The stairwells were lined with portraits of some of the most influential individuals in the New Orleans history. These beautiful works of art provided a view into the past, as I gazed at the painted faces captured forever as the once were I could almost hear the rustle of beautiful gowns and smell the gun powder that filled the air in the battle scenes.
One part of the museum was dedicated to the native American Indians who originally inhabited this land. These wonderful people who had learned to survive in such a harsh land helped the first to arrive to also survive. They taught them how to hunt and what to eat. They showed them were to develop the city, and how to survive the harsh weather. The exhibit in the museum was dedicated to the culture of these extrodinary people who allowed this great civilization to survive it's infancy.
The top floor was my favorite part of the museum, it was filled with stories and artifacts related to slave life in the pre-civil war New Orleans. There was a large block of wood near the entrance to the exhibit, a sales block. My heart began to ache for the poor souls whose lives had lead to this block. Families were torn apart on this block, lives ended on this block. To touch it sent chills down my spine.
The stairwells were lined with portraits of some of the most influential individuals in the New Orleans history. These beautiful works of art provided a view into the past, as I gazed at the painted faces captured forever as the once were I could almost hear the rustle of beautiful gowns and smell the gun powder that filled the air in the battle scenes.
One part of the museum was dedicated to the native American Indians who originally inhabited this land. These wonderful people who had learned to survive in such a harsh land helped the first to arrive to also survive. They taught them how to hunt and what to eat. They showed them were to develop the city, and how to survive the harsh weather. The exhibit in the museum was dedicated to the culture of these extrodinary people who allowed this great civilization to survive it's infancy.
museums
Hurricane Katrina devastated the entire Southern coastline. For those of us who grew up in hurricane territory this is just apart of life, but Katrina changed that.
Walking into the Presbyter I did not know what to sxpect, I knew that it was the place dedicated to the experiences of the city of New Orleans during katrina; however that experience was so different then the rest of the coast that I did not know how I would feel.
We walked into the lobby of the museum and the ceiling was covered with bottles that held messages, the stage held a destroyed piano.
The video footage and interviews of the survivors brought tears to my eyes. I lived through katrina in Biloxi, I lived through the carnage and the loss of power, the loss of life, the loss of home. I cannot imagine what the people of this great city experienced. I remember the relief when the storm had passed, the look in my parents eyes knowing that we had survived. The people in New Orleans had survived the storm, but the damage to the levees caused by the storm delivered a new hell to these people. The flooding of the river rushed in and destroyed entire families within minutes. For weeks following this disaster these people were trapped in there homes; dying of exposure, infection, and hunger.
This museum depicted the struggle of the citizens, and the hero's that rose through the struggle.
Walking into the Presbyter I did not know what to sxpect, I knew that it was the place dedicated to the experiences of the city of New Orleans during katrina; however that experience was so different then the rest of the coast that I did not know how I would feel.
We walked into the lobby of the museum and the ceiling was covered with bottles that held messages, the stage held a destroyed piano.
This museum depicted the struggle of the citizens, and the hero's that rose through the struggle.
caroling in Jackson square
Christmas in New Orleans is like no other, the balconies are lit with christmas lights and decorated in such festive decor that Santa himself would feel at home.
The highlight of Christmas time in New Orleans is the caroling in Jackson Square. For 69 years people from all over the city and all over the world have gathered in the square to sing traditional Christmas songs by candle light. This year thousands of people flocked to the square to feel the full force of a New Orleans Christmas.
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Excursion
The history of New Orleans is rich in the French quarter of the city, however there is a different story to be told just an hour outside of the city. An hour outside of the city lays the Carville museum which is the wealth of history and memories for the individuals who suffered from leprosy and were quarantined from the general public. The displays show what the lives of these people were like day to day. There was a noticeable gap in the history of the lives of patients during the early years of the carville community. The only aspect of daily life which was included in history of the early years was the heart wrenching tales of children being torn away from the patients in the hospital to be raised elsewhere. I would like to know more about the early years for the people who had no choice in their admittance to the hospital, what was life like for these prisoners in this gilded cage?
The second aspect of New Orleans history that I had the opportunity to visit was the Whitney Plantation. The Whitney Plantation is unique in the way that it tells the story of slaves, and their lives on the plantation. Walking onto the plantation was heart wrenching, to see the memorials of the slaves that had passed through the plantation and the parish. There are few times in my life that I have felt disgusted to belong to the human race and this was one of those times, the evils that were inflicted on our fellow man in the name of ease and convenience is enough to induce vomiting. This city was a leader in defending the rights of those who had little to no rights in other cities in this country. Women and blacks had more rights afforded to them here than anywhere, but still the slaves on this plantation and many others were treated with no care given to their lives. These poor souls were treated with less thought to their well being than livestock. This great city was built on the backs of men, women, and children whose struggle and lives are finally being honored in many different ways.
The second aspect of New Orleans history that I had the opportunity to visit was the Whitney Plantation. The Whitney Plantation is unique in the way that it tells the story of slaves, and their lives on the plantation. Walking onto the plantation was heart wrenching, to see the memorials of the slaves that had passed through the plantation and the parish. There are few times in my life that I have felt disgusted to belong to the human race and this was one of those times, the evils that were inflicted on our fellow man in the name of ease and convenience is enough to induce vomiting. This city was a leader in defending the rights of those who had little to no rights in other cities in this country. Women and blacks had more rights afforded to them here than anywhere, but still the slaves on this plantation and many others were treated with no care given to their lives. These poor souls were treated with less thought to their well being than livestock. This great city was built on the backs of men, women, and children whose struggle and lives are finally being honored in many different ways.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)