Lovely Rita
Sep. 20th, 2005 04:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zyzylyI finally found a coin-op laundromat--we drove all over the other night in search of one--this one is just one block from where we were looking. It has a coin-op internet too!
So I am planning to fly home saturday--I leave baton rouge at around 3 pm. Because of Rita, the Red Cross has decided to divert all nurses coming into the disaster area to Alabama, including my replacement. If I do make my flight, I have to transfer in Dallas saturday. Rita is projected to hit Texas on Saturday. shit!
The clinic work is starting to slack off. I think we managed to meet everyone's primary needs, and now it is mostly follow-up and stuff that comes up. It's good, because I am getting kind of burned out, and am ready to go.
My partner Robin went home sunday. She deserves a post all her own. Before she left, we took a drive down to New Orleans with a local--it was kind of a secret mission, which I will tell you about later. We made it into the french quarter after bypassing a number of roadblocks and debris. We found it to be eerily deserted, except for lots of national guard troops and people cleaning up. It was creepy at first, especially since we weren't supposed to be there, but no one bothered us and we were pretty much free to go where we wanted.
We stumbled across a little dive bar that never closed. The owner tells me the press was all over it, so y'all probably already know all about it already. There were still lots of media there, but they were all drunk.
I was pleased to see that my two favorite places--Cafe DuMond and St. Louis Cathedral were in good shape, but there is so much devastation everywhere else. We drove past Charity Hospital--they had huge hoses coming out of it pumping out water. Someone told me yesterday that they think it will have to be torn down. We passed the superdome too. Lots and lots of debris outside, and that roof half torn off--very disheartening. There was still a lot of flood evidence on Canal Street--boats in the median, cars filled with sludge.
I have taken close to 700 pictures with the camera I said I wasn't taking. I had a last-minute change of heart and tossed the little camera in with my stuff. Too bad I didn't toss the battery charger in as well, because it's dead now. I have no way to edit my pics here, so most of them will have to wait until I get home. I didn't take a lot of damage pictures--it seemed like an intrusion into these people's tragedy. I have taken lots of people pictures--many of the folks who we have become close to in these past weeks. I will remember many of them forever.
I have less than a minute left. Do I spell check, or keep writing? Or do I waver? Hmmmmm....
So I am planning to fly home saturday--I leave baton rouge at around 3 pm. Because of Rita, the Red Cross has decided to divert all nurses coming into the disaster area to Alabama, including my replacement. If I do make my flight, I have to transfer in Dallas saturday. Rita is projected to hit Texas on Saturday. shit!
The clinic work is starting to slack off. I think we managed to meet everyone's primary needs, and now it is mostly follow-up and stuff that comes up. It's good, because I am getting kind of burned out, and am ready to go.
My partner Robin went home sunday. She deserves a post all her own. Before she left, we took a drive down to New Orleans with a local--it was kind of a secret mission, which I will tell you about later. We made it into the french quarter after bypassing a number of roadblocks and debris. We found it to be eerily deserted, except for lots of national guard troops and people cleaning up. It was creepy at first, especially since we weren't supposed to be there, but no one bothered us and we were pretty much free to go where we wanted.
We stumbled across a little dive bar that never closed. The owner tells me the press was all over it, so y'all probably already know all about it already. There were still lots of media there, but they were all drunk.
I was pleased to see that my two favorite places--Cafe DuMond and St. Louis Cathedral were in good shape, but there is so much devastation everywhere else. We drove past Charity Hospital--they had huge hoses coming out of it pumping out water. Someone told me yesterday that they think it will have to be torn down. We passed the superdome too. Lots and lots of debris outside, and that roof half torn off--very disheartening. There was still a lot of flood evidence on Canal Street--boats in the median, cars filled with sludge.
I have taken close to 700 pictures with the camera I said I wasn't taking. I had a last-minute change of heart and tossed the little camera in with my stuff. Too bad I didn't toss the battery charger in as well, because it's dead now. I have no way to edit my pics here, so most of them will have to wait until I get home. I didn't take a lot of damage pictures--it seemed like an intrusion into these people's tragedy. I have taken lots of people pictures--many of the folks who we have become close to in these past weeks. I will remember many of them forever.
I have less than a minute left. Do I spell check, or keep writing? Or do I waver? Hmmmmm....
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 09:37 pm (UTC)so articulate - i am glad you know the difference here. there are some places i have been that i find myself so hesitant to photograph, because it seems somehow wrong in the company. but your heart has been turned toward these precious *people*, and that is a wonderful thing.
safe travel, friend.
a-HA!
Date: 2005-09-20 09:38 pm (UTC)I knew it. Can't wait to hear the story, and any other stories you want to tell.
Hope you steer clear of Rita (off from my name by one letter - whew!), and she of you. Get rest, and rest, and more rest. You deserve it.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 09:46 pm (UTC)Have you thought of writing a book (or contributing to one)?
no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 10:01 pm (UTC)I really don't have words to express how much I feel for you, what you're doing, your journey.
You really should write a book, when you find the time and it starts to flow...soon I hope, selfishly!
My co-workers and I were just loving your photos. You holding the baby especially, we loved that one! I also love the "thank you" sign picture, for its emotional impact, and also "just" as an abstract image, I really like it.
I don't even know what to say, I feel like I'm talking to someone who is far above me, plane-wise. I can only watch & learn & hope to emulate.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 10:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 10:50 pm (UTC)The more I know you, the more I am impressed by you. Thank you for caring about the people who have had their lives torn apart. Hopefully they will be able to rebuild and have a brighter future.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 11:25 pm (UTC)You've done what so many of us wish we could do -- help in some immediate, tangible way.
I'm sure we'll all be here to continue listening whenever you're ready to talk/write.
...
no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 12:08 am (UTC)rita is gonna hit me =(
no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 12:14 am (UTC)But for you I wish some good quiet and time just being.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 01:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 02:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 02:08 am (UTC)so good to hear that you are safe and on your way home to your own bed. you have been an angel and deserve to take care of you.
looking so forward to hearing of your clandestine journies and seeing your photos.
you were a God send in Nahleans. you are that every day.
peace and namaste and safe travels, mike.
♥
no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 02:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 01:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-22 12:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-22 12:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-22 11:11 pm (UTC)