John's YAV Year in New Orleans: September 2014

I don't have the time to write out all that I've learned in my first three weeks in New Orleans, but I will try to say as much as I can.

New Orleans is awesome, except for the rain. It rains almost every day. Days aren't dreary because of this, but if it's 1pm you better have your rain jacket.
The roads are in terrible shape. If you're not on a major road, you literally cannot speed without popping a tire. On a better note regarded to travel, everything in the New Orleans area is within 20 minutes. This is such a relief coming from LA where it takes an hour to go 3 miles via public transit.
Most major roads are divided highways. The space in between the roads (what I would call a median) is called the neutral ground. This has some historical significance. On Canal Street, the median was a division where French Creoles lived on one side while Americans lived on the other. The tensions between the two cultures were very prominent. However, the median was where they met, henceforth being called the neutral ground. This is where the streetcars travel.
The food here is amazing.
Life here is much more relaxed. Time is more lax. People definitely have that easy going personality. This could be because it's so dang hot and humid!
Lakeview Presbyterian Church is amazing. The sanctuary is gorgeous. The people are nice. It feels so welcoming. I'm glad to be a part of it.
Festivals are the way of life here. I've walked in part of a parade as well as visited one in just 3 weeks. There's never a shortage of things to do here.
City Park is huge!
There are filming crews here on St. Charles Ave. It is also reminiscent of LA. I believe they're filming NCIS - New Orleans.
The streets and houses are gorgeous. Trees with moss. Huge estates with wrap around verandas. You have to see them for yourself.
Cemeteries are above ground.
They take Saints football as seriously as I take UK basketball. (Except they're not as good. 0-2 with a loss to the Browns. Lol). Seriously though. People wear Saints jerseys to church. That's all they talk about in the sporting world. Their cheer/phrase is "Who dat?" I love responding "Who dey?" (Go Bengals!)
Mardi Gras is a huge deal. It's not just a day. It's more like a month that leads up to a Tuesday. More to come on that once we get closer to it.
Louisiana's wetlands are disappearing. It's seriously a problem. Read this article if you want to be informed.
There are tons of birds here that I've never seen before. I haven't seen an alligator yet. You probably have to get out of the city for that.

Whew. Now what all have been up to? I've gone on a walking tour of the French Quarter. I did a photo scavenger hunt all throughout New Orleans. The YAVs wrote our house covenant for the year. I've had enough beignets for the year. I visited the Gulf! I walked in the Midsummer Night's Mardi Gras parade. I got to spend this past weekend at Feliciana Retreat Center for the Presbytery of South Louisiana's (PSL) fall youth retreat. I got to eat at the first ever Raising Cane's in Baton Rouge! Life here has been busy getting accustomed to everything.

So what about work? I have two part-time positions. Mid-City Ministries is an after-school program through the Carrollton Church of Christ. I tutor kids, lead bible study, and play games! I really look forward to getting to know these children over the next year. At Lakeview Pres my focus is on the youth program and mission. While that seems very vague now, I have specific goals. One of these goals is to have Lakeview host mission groups in the summer of 2015. Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church's college group will be coming down for the new year as our first group to come. I will be planning and facilitating the time and work with that group. The work that I've gotten myself into here in New Orleans is truly fantastic. I'm so grateful for all of your support.

Now for some photos: