Tornado Watch!

Right now I'm sitting in the library while there are torrential downpours outside. The weather channel is telling us that there is now a tornado watch in effect for this area. This got me thinking about what residents of this area must think about when there are big rainstorms around here. I personally am a little freaked out that here we are in this thunderstorm in an area hit so hard by a storm two years ago. I can imagine that residents of Hancock County get a little jittery when storms come by still.
But anyway, New Orleans was fun last night. We were able to go to Bourbon Street and get a real taste of the local flavor there. It was also interesting to see that that area was completely rebuilt (since it is such a tourist spot). It felt good to be in a place with toilets that can be flushed without the use of a screwdriver!

We started off today with more home visits. Then a few reporters and newscasters came to do some interviews with us about the work that we're doing here. After that, Congressman Gene Taylor visited the Recovery Center and talked with us about his experiences during the storm. It was really interesting hearing what he had to say from the government's perspective, since we have heard so many stories from residents about how the government is corrupt and messed up. Congressman Taylor was here after Katrina, and his house was completely destroyed. He said one of the best things he learned about leadership during post-Katrina was to smile. People would come up to him and tell him how they lost everything. He was able to be on their side, telling them that he lost everything too, which certainly seemed to ease tensions and spread the sense of community even to the Congressman.

Anyway, I'm heading out now to do a home visit with Julie and Annie, so I'll blog again soon.

Off I go into the downpours! (Let's pray our tent holds up!!!)

-Sofia