"Three Hour Tour..."

1-4-19

Outer Journey

The crisp air breaks through my layers of clothes as the sun beams down on our group as we wait for Milton to arrive for our tour.  This three-hour tour was very interesting, and I enjoyed it very much especially Congo Square and the Cypress tree in the square.  The square was full of green luscious cypress trees, oak trees, and magnolia trees.  It was amazing to me these trees.  They had survived the many floods and fires that this city has endured over the years, and they stood tall and proud.  I was marveled with them.  The park was inviting because of this beautiful square full of nature and peace.  The amora of damp air fills my senses as I follow the brick pathway through the park.  I am following Milton around listening to how the slaves could go to church on Sundays and to the Congo Square where they relaxed, spent time with friends and family, and even make some money to free themselves.  As a small business owner, I can relate to building a life on your own to gain freedom and hope.   Now I am not saying I have ever lived under slave conditions because I have not!  But I was impressed with their entrepreneurship, and I appreciate the dedication it takes to launch a business that makes enough money to save up to be free.  I awesome loved that fact that there was music played throughout the park for everyone to enjoy and share each other’s gifts and talents.  With so much diversity from all the different cultures, I liked how they all came together and shared.  What great memories must have been making at Congo Square. 

Inner Journey

Congo Square spoke peace and hope to me as I entered.  The green lush trees represented to me years of perseverance and courage which reminds me that things will not always be the same.  Their unique strength that stretched through ever storm and endured ever-changing society acceptances stood for the hope of better days to come.  I am also reminded to be thankful for what I do have and not to focus on what I do not.  As I stand in the square listening to Milton tell the stories of the past, I am looking around imagining the slaves and their families coming to this square with picnic southern lunches with music being played all around for all to hear.  Everyone is talking and enjoying each other.  Laughter fills the air.  I imagined slaves setting up products to be sold and plans being made between husband and wives as they plan to save every cent to buy their freedom.  I imagine the slaves were thankful for Sundays.  The ghost from this place dance around me as I imagine what it must have been like to live as a slave in New Orleans history.  It was interesting to me to learn that slaves in New Orleans were given Sundays off and could buy their freedom by selling their products.  This was intriguing and new facts to me.  It makes me sad to think how many families were broken up because of slavery.  Thankfully this world is progressing toward better acceptance of diversity.  We must not stop in this progression.