Outer Journey
As we entered the Presbytere, the first exhibit was a historical piano that had been in New Orleans for years. It had been destructed in Hurricane Katrina. It was laying on its side with a broken leg. The wood was molded from water damage and the piano keys were not in working condition. This is how this sentimental instrument had been found in the clean up of Katrina. In honor of this special piece, it was kept just as it was found to show a part of all that was lost. As I continued throughout this intriguing museum, I was taken back by the devastation that I read about and the pictures I saw. I was told that in some places there were eighteen feet of water in these historical buildings. I found myself asking, ‘How does a city recover from a flood of that magnitude?’ As I came to the end of this amazing exhibit, I was fascinated by the stories of how people coming back to rebuild and how they came together to save their heritage and make New Orleans a land of diversity and cultural again. As I continued to walk the streets for the rest of our trip, I would imagine water raising to these high levels and then I imagined people “coming home” as the museum called it, to clean and paint and restore. As I read and looked through the museum, I could almost smell the toxin air and water and hear the rescue helicopters and boats coming to rescue people and bring supplies. What I remember watching on national news many years ago, I was now standing in the heart of a city that has once again persevered.
Inner Journey
As I viewed the exhibit of Hurricane Katrina, I realized how special the people of New Orleans are. They are courageous people who hold their home dear to their hearts. They continue to make New Orleans diverse through art, music, and food. They fought to keep the historical buildings that represent their heritage and the many battles and progression that happened here. New Orleans is truly a special city that is so much more than Bourbon Street that everyone thinks about when they think of New Orleans. After seeing the exhibit of Katrina, I thought back and remembered seeing the national news and watching each morning the devastation that was being reported. I remember the reports of the dome being used as a shelter for people. As I saw the dome on our trip, it was interesting to see the size of this dome and imagine it filled with thousands of strand people and no place to go. My heart still brakes for these Louisiana people just like it did many years ago as I saw the destruction and prayed for these Louisiana people. Watching a devastating situation like this makes me realize how blessed I am and need to be more thankful for these blessings. In my day to day routes and responsibilities, it is easy to take things for granted and wish things were different by complaining about things but in the big scheme of life, none of this really matter. I cannot imagine what the victims of Hurricane Katrina have gone through, but the people of New Orleans are an inspiration after seeing and now understand what they have gone through and endured and continue to stay strong and progress forward.
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