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Sunday, March 19. Posted by Udara Soysa.
I woke up this morning about to have a heart attack when I
realized I went to sleep around 11:00 p.m. yesterday! It was the
first time I’d been in bed before 3:00 a.m. in the last six months!
And I actually woke up around 6:30 a.m. We were soon greeted by an
awesome New Orleans breakfast! The New Orleans chefs sure knows how
to feed a guy! Bev Hoffman was telling us the other day that these
chefs preparing food for volunteers are professionals displaced by
Katrina. I am going to recommend these world class chefs for the
Noble Peace Prize for the best food service as soon as I get back to
Atlanta!
By 9:30 a.m. Bev and Dr. Schall took our gang on a tour of
devastated sites to get more insights into the Katrina disaster. We
were visibly shocked. Most of us had never seen anything like that
before in their lives. I sensed a connection developing in the
hearts of the gang with the Katrina victims while we were at the
devastated sites. This was a great feeling personally for me to see
how great and big the hearts of my friends are! I felt honored to be
in their presence. They were willing to work their hearts out for
Katrina support tomorrow.
We came back for the lunch which was again amazing. I must note
that it was so fun to drive with Bev. His heart and warmth for
humanity is greater than the water in the oceans. He fascinated us
with his stories and worldly experience. He knew virtually every
inch of New Orleans. He was a great tour guide.
We visited to a friend of Bev's for dinner. Again, we had good
food and company. We talked on every possible subject, from simple
puerile matters to deep intellectual discussions on anti-Semitism.
It was fascinating discussing things with Dr. Schall as well. It was
a fun learning opportunity.
Then we took off to Bourbon Street in the French Corner. We came
across fascinating things. However, some of us were visibly
disappointed with the lack of New Orleans culture as an aftereffect
of Katrina. But I am sure this is not all New Orleans has to offer.
The jazz and other good stuff will be seen on Friday for sure!
Finally we are back at Camp Algiers now. I think Mario Dunkel and
George Maher are busy singing songs and guitar playing with our new
friends from Alaska right now. Duo Zhou and Maki are busy writing
their journals. Amie Lane is busy talking to the guy next to me! All
the others are sleeping! I guess I need to get to bed too! Tomorrow
is the big day we will actually serve the New Orleans folks with our
skills. Ember Melcher, Jonathan Carll, Yvonne Druyeh and I are
leading Group A tomorrow with over 13 OU folks!
Even thinking about tomorrow gives me such great satisfaction. We
Oglethorpe students will actually make a difference. For me, coming
from tsunami-devastated Sri Lanka to Katrina-devastated Louisiana is
a unique experience as the chances to give a helping hand to our
fellow human beings regardless of nationality, ethnicity or religion
always warms my heart.
Right now in New Orleans, I feel on top of the world. I am
thankful for everybody here with me for doing what they are doing.
We indeed have a great hope for a new future as youth with new
vision and open hearts to humanity. Tomorrow we will definitely
change the world for the better.
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