Our Last Week in the Big Easy

Hectic.... just the word to describe our last couple days in New Orleans. The team is actually really sad to be leaving already; New Orleans has definitely left a mark in all our hearts -- from the generous people we've met to the street festivals downtown, there is nothing we won't miss about the Big Easy. This week we visited the New Orleans aquarium (free for AmeriCorps members!) and did some last minute shopping downtown. We also ate a fabulous authentic New Orleans meal at our sponsor's home which included jambalaya, seafood bisque, and an assortment of other delicious treats. It's always sad to say goodbye to people who are making a difference in their own community, but also inspiring to be able to work beside them even for just a little while.

During our last days on the project site we finally finished insulating the home. Insulating a home is very challenging. We all wore our coveralls, along with all the necessary PPE (personal protective equipment), such as safety glasses and particle masks. We were all extremely uncomfortable wearing so much in weather so hot, so we were all glad to have finished the house in a timely manner. The next step after insulating is putting up dry wall. Our sponsor was able to secure enough funding to hire professionals to do the job, which will save time in bringing the home to completion.

After we said our goodbyes to our sponsors, the team hit the road and traveled back to Denver, stopping in Tyler, Texas and Amarillo, Texas. We traveled with another AmeriCorps team, eating lunch together and throwing the frisbee at a gas station in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. When we arrived back in Denver, it was really nice to see faces we hadn't seen in eight weeks. We are officially half way through the program.... how is that possible already??

~Maria C.

The Brick Wall

Today was awesome! We were demolishing a brick wall. We went to the office in the morning and our sponsor was showing one of the construction managers how to use a masonry saw. This was no ordinary saw. It was twice the size of a chainsaw and had a blade as big as a pizza pie. We drove to a house in the St Bernard parish. One of the exterior walls of the house was damaged by the storm. We took our saw and cut a straight line through the brick then we got sledge hammers and crowbars and knocked the rest down. It was awesome! It was the best work day yet. Now we, or other volunteers, will be able to patch up the wall and make it good as new.

~Sam

The Picnic

This week the team was divided into three groups and sent to different work sites. We were all a little nervous about being split up for the whole week but it turned out to be just fine. It gave us something new to talk about since we were all doing different projects such as painting, tiling, and installing appliances. Also, we are going to be shuffled with other teams next round (something the Denver campus does during the 3rd of our 4 rounds so that we get to meet and work with new people), so now we have a feel for what that is going to be like.

Now, in other news, my favorite part of the week was the team picnic we had Tuesday evening. Down by the lake with the cool breeze blowing in our hair, the water hitting the steps, and the sun setting made the perfect setting for a picnic dinner. There was lots of food, laughter and we even all got to sit at the same table for the first time for a meal since we have been in New Orleans, which I thought was wonderful. After we finished eating we kicked the soccer ball around and did a trust walk. It was a great team bonding time and a wonderful way to end a hard day of work. Good food, great people, and a nice atmosphere are all the fixings you need for a great picnic. As we walked back to the van with full stomachs there was a smile on everyone’s face so you knew everyone had a great time. Remember that sometimes its just the little things that you do for your teammates and others that are the most cherished because it just shows how much you care.

~Paige

Video: Stacy, Levi and The Hole