Post-Trip Thoughts and Feelings

Once again I would LOVE to express my BONNER LOVE. I had a great time on the trip and I am EXTREMELY thankful to have been apart of such a wonderful trip. We all had our ups and downs, but it was still a great trip. Being able to witness firsthand the culture, tragedy, and love of the city was such a great moment in my life. I was able to work on a great mural with the best team ever, and I was also able to meet one of the most fascinating men I have ever met in my life. From eating fried alligator to any other sea food you can think of, to painting and standing on two-story-high scaffolding, I can definitely say that this trip was GREAT! New Orleans, to me, is filled with good and bad. There are obvious signs of Katrina and the flooding still around, but there is also happiness with a strong sense of community and togetherness and vibrant culture all around you. For example, you'll see a wonderful rebuilt home on a street of many destroyed homes. It's ironic and sad to know that everyday you walk out of your new home that you are constantly reminded of that horrible moment in New Orleans history. I am very glad to say that I lent a hand in rebuilding the city and making some sort of change, or that I was able to put a smile on one or two faces because of the work I have done. I truly feel a warmth in my heart because of what I have done and experienced on this trip. Despite getting the unluckiest week, weather wise, during the trip, I can honestly say that I wouldn't mind moving to New Orleans. If possible, I would love to go back down and lend a hand in rebuilding the city. I love New Orleans! Something must be done in order to restore this city. IT still saddens me to know that such poor effort has been made. We must make a difference.

Mid Experience In NOLA [Work Day 4-5]

With the new day starting, I did not know what to expect. I grabbed my regular breakfast of two small bowls of cereal, some orange juice, and a cinnamon raisin bagel. After I packed my lunch I walked into the meeting room, and Darryl, founder of United Saints, began speak to everyone. There were updates on each site as usual. Today I decided to sign my name up for Team Booker. This was probably the second best decision I had made since I had been volunteering. I was now able to experience a more construction based type of volunteer work. I personally felt that this work was easier than painting the mural, but it was also a nice experience. Standing on two stories of scaffolding my very first day on the site was a bit scary, but I overcame the fear in about 3 minutes of standing on the homemade structure. Here, at Mr. Booker's home, we removed old siding, put in insulation, and we also put up some tar paper in order to secure the insulation. The most influential thing about this home wasn't the home itself, but the owner of the home. He was such a fascinating and inspiring man. His birthday actually passed while we were down in NOLA and he had just turned 71. He is in GREAT shape, and he moves as if he were 20 years old. He was able to pass off some knowledge to a young guy like me that I know I will never forget. He told us his story, his family's story, and the story behind his home. I decided to stay longer than our scheduled work time in order to try and help Mr. Booker install a window tarp in his home. I swear that a few of us had to sit and listen to him speak to us about his life for about an hour, and the time just passed along on the warm winter day. I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet this man, and I absolutely loved working on his home.

Early Experience in NOLA [Work Days 1-3]

I was fortunate enough to work on an art mural at a local church that was affected by the storm. The battered church was being constructed to become a Multimedia and Arts Center for local NOLA children. I was very excited to commence work. The weather was cold making it very hard to maintain enthusiasm for the work. Although, with such a great team, I was able to muster up a great amount of passion for the art mural. It was such a great experience and each and everyday there were individuals walking by that exhibited vast amounts of thanks and gratitude. I know you may be wondering why the title is labeled day 1-3 even though this was a 5 day volunteer week. Unfortunately, as our mural was beginning to looking absolutely beautiful our site was shut down. Team Art returned from our lunch break and received the bad news. It was a sad day, but we were assigned with a new task. We had to go around the city and try to find abandoned homes that could possibly be used to paint murals on. This was a great experience. I was able to see a very large amount of the city, good and bad. I was able to go to the 9th Ward and really get a detailed look at the devastation of the flooding and hurricane. I was able to see what efforts are being made in order to rebuild the city also, which, in my perspective, seemed very menial. I was also very fortunate because I was presented with the opportunity to walk into 2 abandoned and destroyed homes. Something that happened during that moment definitely gave me a strong, yet unconditional love for New Orleans. A local man came by and told us to be careful. It meant a lot to me that a man that didn't even know anyone in the group felt obligated to walk over from his home and make sure that we would take proper precaution and remain safe. This "Southern Hospitality" was very heartwarming. After the trip was done, I felt accomplished. I was able to enhance my knowledge about the structure of the city, as well as having laughs and other emotional moments with such a great team. What would happen in the next day I did not know, but I was ready for whatever New Orleans had waiting for me.

Some Final Thoughts

It's been almost a week since we've been back from New Orleans and I've had some time to reflect about our trip. First of all I would like to thank the Bonner staff for giving me the opportunity to go to New Orleans and to have an amazing experience there; I very much appreciate all the hard work that was put into planning this trip.

Looking back on our trip I feel that I have learned a lot about New Orleans. I am much more educated about Katrina and the many hardships that residents had to endure during and after the hurricane. Visiting the lower ninth was an experience that I will never forget. A simple drive through the neighborhood indicates (even 5 1/2 years later) how devastating the destruction was. The X's that rescue groups used to indicate that a house had been checked are still visible on numerous houses and it makes what occurred more of a reality.

Although we witnessed how devastating Katrina was, we also experienced how hopeful, energetic, and spirited the people of New Orleans are. I realized how passionate and determined people are to rebuild New Orleans and it made me feel happy because New Orleans is truly a great city.

All in all, I had a great time in New Orleans and I hope to go back soon because there is still a lot of work to be done!

Post NOLA 2011

Well, there is only so much I can put into words about my emotions post-NOLA 2011. In my opinion, this trip was actually better than last years, and I am so happy I was given the chance to chaperon for the freshmen and first years. Instead of witnessing the destruction for my first time, I was able to witness those around me react to their first view of it. As a group, I feel like this trip allowed everyone to bond very well, and I was able to meet and get to know most of the group on the trip. The ride back was a lot better than I expected, as my van and I decided to delve into some "interesting" games, to say the least. Anyway, I'm more than ecstatic overall about this trip, and the fact that I was able to meet and establish a relationship with a homeowner this year. I really hope I'll be able to chaperon again next year, but if not I will figure out a way to somehow get down there again. I hope my presence was appreciated and I hope that everyone enjoyed the trip just as much as I did. Peace and love from Decker.

Looking Back

I just left the first Bonner meeting for the Spring semester of 2011. At the meeting, alot of my friends were wearing "Who Dat" t shirts and saints hats/sweatshirts. It shows that the NOLA morale is still high while we are entering out Spring semester. I am so grateful to have been apart of an experience that has changed my life forever. Volunteering can bring me to places around the world, as well as, bring direct service to individuals in need. Volunteering brings thebest of both worlds into my reality.

Van Ride Home

The van ride home from New Orleans allowed me to become closer to Bonners whom I have never talked to before. I sat next to Laura in the van and found out how incredibly hilarious she really is. I now know her whole life story and what she plans on doing after college. Also, we played games in the van ride that brought us all closer.

Esther and Ryan Gale were great drivers and always made the can ride interesting with their music playlists and jokes. I took a few hours, during the long van ride, to think back on my experience in New Orleans and realized a few things.

First, New Orleans is in no way broken. The morale of New Orleans is still high and they share a close bond that I do not have within my own community back in Toms River.
Also, I realized how much volunteers can impact a community with coming down and helping out families who have lost their homes and other resources.