Day 3

John Carroll & Nolan Dow

Today we woke up early to make the 9 AM mass at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis in Jackson Square. After a nice mass we enjoyed traditional beignets and café-au-laits at the famous, open-air Café du Monde. We then were able to get a view of the devastation from Katrina by taking a self guided driving tour in the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods, especially the Lower 9^th Ward.  Most of us were surprised by the houses that were still left in shambles even more than seven years after the storm. We learned about the housing, insurance, and economic issues that made rebuilding and even reclaiming houses extremely difficult, if not impossible, for many residents. Through conversations with longtime Lower 9^th Ward residents, we heard stories about exactly where and how the levees breached and filled up the neighborhood. We also learned of the environmental side effects of industrialization and their effects on the natural make-up of the city. We then moved quickly to the Center for Ethical Living for a dialogue on race in New Orleans and a dinner of sausage, rice, beans, and potato salad topped off with some King Cake. We were in for an early night to prepare for tomorrow’s service.