In our first few days in the Crescent City, we have been bathed in the version of southern hospitality found only in New Orleans. Those who have lived through Katrina and continue to live with its aftermath have welcomed us with open arms.
Beignets and blessings: Kelly Diggins, one our graduating 3Ls, and I stopped at Café du Monde to rock out their legendary coffee and beignets. I was (shockingly) on the phone and Kelly chatted up a lovely duo to our right. Kelly explained we were part of a group of law students donating our spring break to help out in New Orleans. One of men had lived in New Orleans years before and he had brought his partner here for a visit. I forgot my money when I switched purses and Kelly was shuffling her dollars to pay for both when one of the men – thinking we were without enough to pay our way – opened up his wallet and paid for our dessert. “No, no, it is our pleasure,” he said. “It our pleasure to have people like you here in the city to help, that you care enough to come here, the least we can do is make your first beignet experience one without problems.” Both Kelly and I felt the pricks of tears and not from the hot café au lait.
Lost in NOLA: I had dropped my roommates off at their assignment on Monday and had an hour to kill. I went to find my assignment and got lost and drove around. Finally, I found a firehouse and pulled in. The Wisconsin license plates were a dead give-away. The firefighters rushed to the car, thinking I might be in peril. I was – I need a bathroom. They graciously invited me into the station, showed me the loo and then offered me coffee and good advice on restaurants to visit, the Don’t Miss bars and the areas to go and not to go. “Look, remember our population has shrunk by nearly half but the crime rate has sky rocketed. But ya’ll shouldn’t be afraid. If you’re smart, no problems. If you’re not smart, probably no problems.” The lieutenant at that station said the hardest part for him has been watching his friends move on. “I lost very little, all things considered. But I had a job to do and we were needed. But so many guys, well with the hardship they faced with rebuilding or getting messed around with FEMA, it was just easier to pull up stakes and quit. And these folks weren’t quitters. But this was enough to break their hearts on day and their spirits the next. But a man must know when it is time to move on.” He pulled his hands across his eyes and he seemed very far way for awhile. “But we are so honored to have you all here. It is a kindness we won’t soon forget that you all would come here not just for Bourbon Street but for us. Thank you.” No, sir, thank you.
Shorts needed: Some pack well. Some, not so much. A quorum of the Pauger Street Crue (Lauria and the graduating 3Ls trio Ben Githieya, Kelly Diggins and Luke Hodgin) were on a mission for items not packed. We were driving up Esplanade and didn’t want to leave the fifth Crue member (Ryan Sink) waiting, so we pulled over and haled a woman jogging with her dogs near one of New Orleans famous cemeteries. I bellowed out we were from out of town and needed a Target. She smiled, and graciously held her dogs at bay, pulling off her headphones. She smiled somewhat sheepishly said, “Oh, we here New Orleans shop local, there’s stores a many near here but a Target. Target. Where is the Target?” She gave us directions and then, “Have a wonderful time down here and thank you so much for coming to see us. We’re so glad to have you here in our home.” It’s great to be home, ma’am.
Beignets and blessings: Kelly Diggins, one our graduating 3Ls, and I stopped at Café du Monde to rock out their legendary coffee and beignets. I was (shockingly) on the phone and Kelly chatted up a lovely duo to our right. Kelly explained we were part of a group of law students donating our spring break to help out in New Orleans. One of men had lived in New Orleans years before and he had brought his partner here for a visit. I forgot my money when I switched purses and Kelly was shuffling her dollars to pay for both when one of the men – thinking we were without enough to pay our way – opened up his wallet and paid for our dessert. “No, no, it is our pleasure,” he said. “It our pleasure to have people like you here in the city to help, that you care enough to come here, the least we can do is make your first beignet experience one without problems.” Both Kelly and I felt the pricks of tears and not from the hot café au lait.
Lost in NOLA: I had dropped my roommates off at their assignment on Monday and had an hour to kill. I went to find my assignment and got lost and drove around. Finally, I found a firehouse and pulled in. The Wisconsin license plates were a dead give-away. The firefighters rushed to the car, thinking I might be in peril. I was – I need a bathroom. They graciously invited me into the station, showed me the loo and then offered me coffee and good advice on restaurants to visit, the Don’t Miss bars and the areas to go and not to go. “Look, remember our population has shrunk by nearly half but the crime rate has sky rocketed. But ya’ll shouldn’t be afraid. If you’re smart, no problems. If you’re not smart, probably no problems.” The lieutenant at that station said the hardest part for him has been watching his friends move on. “I lost very little, all things considered. But I had a job to do and we were needed. But so many guys, well with the hardship they faced with rebuilding or getting messed around with FEMA, it was just easier to pull up stakes and quit. And these folks weren’t quitters. But this was enough to break their hearts on day and their spirits the next. But a man must know when it is time to move on.” He pulled his hands across his eyes and he seemed very far way for awhile. “But we are so honored to have you all here. It is a kindness we won’t soon forget that you all would come here not just for Bourbon Street but for us. Thank you.” No, sir, thank you.
Shorts needed: Some pack well. Some, not so much. A quorum of the Pauger Street Crue (Lauria and the graduating 3Ls trio Ben Githieya, Kelly Diggins and Luke Hodgin) were on a mission for items not packed. We were driving up Esplanade and didn’t want to leave the fifth Crue member (Ryan Sink) waiting, so we pulled over and haled a woman jogging with her dogs near one of New Orleans famous cemeteries. I bellowed out we were from out of town and needed a Target. She smiled, and graciously held her dogs at bay, pulling off her headphones. She smiled somewhat sheepishly said, “Oh, we here New Orleans shop local, there’s stores a many near here but a Target. Target. Where is the Target?” She gave us directions and then, “Have a wonderful time down here and thank you so much for coming to see us. We’re so glad to have you here in our home.” It’s great to be home, ma’am.
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