Farewell

I did not attend any parades or big festivals this week, just a lot of good byes, which are celebrations. It is sad to leave this place and the people I have met and loved, but I celebrate the gift that each person, place and experience has been for me.

This was a week of goodbyes. On Tuesday at the Unity of Greater New Orleans staff meeting, they had a farewell party. On Thursday the Unity Welcome Home staff, my coworkers, took me out to lunch. I feel so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people, coworkers and clients. They have all greatly enriched my life.

Tonight I celebrated with the sisters I have lived with and have come to know and love. There was a lot of laughter and some tears as well. I feel so blessed to have gotten to know each sister here. My life has been greatly enriched.

I want to write more, but am very tired and have a few things to finish before morning. Tomorrow I will drive to Florida where I will spend a couple of days with my grandparents. I will then spend a couple of vacation days with my parents who will arrive in the Sunshine State of Wednesday.

Many Blessings!

Jazz Fest etc.

Jazz Fest!
I was given a free ticket to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. It was another wonderful New Orleans celebration: great music, wonderful food, and lots of people. Listening to live music was truly relaxing and extremely enjoyable. For lunch I bought fried eggplant topped with a delicious craw fish sauce. (Here I go talking about food, it is a good thing I'm leaving soon, I'm starting to sound like a local.) I attended a fascinating demonstration on how to make cheese, specifically types used in Latino cooking. There were all kinds of things going on at the festival. Here is a picture of some Mardi Gras Indians who were performing with a band on one of the stages. The one you can seem most clearly has his head dress off, probably because of the heat.

Philly - New Orleans Connections
Recently Philadelphia has been in the local news. A few weeks ago Mayor Nagain of New Orleans went to Philadelphia to learn how Philly has dealt with blighted neighborhoods. Apparently the local Mayor described the city of Philadelphia as "dirty", but later apologized. Very recently, Paul Vallas who ran the Philadelphia School system for the past several years, was named superintendent of New Orleans schools. It strikes me as interesting that New Orleans might want to emulate Philadelphia in some ways. I actually wish they would try to create an emergency shelter system similar to Philly's here, because while in the past I probably complained about it, there is no real system here, which makes it really hard to get people off of the streets. Of course I have not read any articles in the paper about New Orleans looking to Philly in that regard. The other current similarity between the two cities sadly has to do with increased murder rates and escalating violence.

I took this picture today, in front of an abandoned school building that is falling apart, although the sign advertising adult education classes which was probably posted about two years ago is still legible. Paul Vallas has his work cut out for him.


Leave taking
Tomorrow begins my final week of work. I will be leaving New Orleans a week from tomorrow. Although it will be great to see everyone again when I return to Philadelphia, I am presently feeling sad about leaving. One of the sisters said that if I had not really been here (as in truly present) than I would not be feeling it. I am grateful that I have been able to be present here and for all that I have learned, the people who have touched my life enriching it and have taught me much.

Counting
I have put a counter on the blog yesterday to get a sense of how many people actually visit this site. If you would read a blog that I would write when I am no longer in New Orleans please post a comment. I'm not sure yet, if I will continue to blog. Obviously if I do the focus would change a bit.