NOLA

For those of you that don’t know what that stands for it’s New Orleans, LA. New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the country in many different factors. The history there is strong and is very well preserved and remembered. Some cities are just like any other city, but New Orleans is different. And of course in the last year no other city was in the news more than New Orleans.

My New Orleans experience was given to me on a tour from Naomi, an LSU graduate student who was transplanted from Michigan to New Orleans. The tour started through the famous French Quarter. What a place. The architecture, colorful buildings, and tiny streets really did make me feel like I was back in Europe. Lunch was topped off with some traditional Louisiana food at Coop’s. And for the first time I actually visited the Mississippi River, rather than just driving across it. The French Quarter would be the highlight of the day.

The tour of New Orleans then became the tour of the Katrina levee breaks. Driving through the 9th Ward was one of the most heart breaking things I have taken in. I have never seen what devastation is like other than on television. Being there was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. I will never be able to describe that feeling. To see an entire neighborhood of empty lots where houses used to be, houses that are gutted, it’s vacant, in the middle of a metropolis without a person in site, no cars, no street signs, hardly a sign of life. Seeing the remains left me feeling very somber.

This would be the 5th installment of visiting such a tragic site. Recently I mentioned that I have also visited the sites of Pearl Harbor, JFK assassination, OKC bombing, and World Trade Center in less than four months. That in itself has made this trip something I would have never expected, visiting these sites will always remain with me and give me great understanding in the future.

In addition… At lunch some terribly sad news was passed on to me. Naomi went to Michigan State for her undergrad work and to make a long story short we know a few of the same people. Sadly, I found out that my first photography mentor was killed in an accident six months ago, only two weeks after my trip started. It was hard news for me to swallow, very hard, but it’s something I need to get out there and write about. Nikki was my photography editor for two years at the nation’s largest yearbook, the Red Cedar Log, for two years. My third year at the RCL I actually took over Nikki’s position as she graduated. I never knew her on a personal level, but with her smile and cheer she made everyday great that I saw her. She challenged me as a photographer, she gave me pointers, and most of all she taught me not to be afraid of my camera or any situation and to walk into it with confidence. With all the compliments she gave me she helped me see my ability as a photography. She gave me the confidence to continue pushing forward with it. There is no doubt that my photography from this trip is heavily influenced by her being a mentor and role model.

It was a tough day emotionally to take it all in. I wanted to write about it all that night. Also, once again I was stressed without a place to sleep the following day. I needed a day to come back down before I could put it out there. This trip is not just a vacation, it’s very hard. With adversity comes wisdom and experience, then come amazing days much like today.