I am no exception to this spell, as this is my 14th time here. Each time I arrive back in the city it feels more and more like a second home. I have good friends, favorite places to go, and there is always a something new to learn or experience when I am here.
One of my favorite things to do though is watch the students on the trip learn new things about themselves and each other. Listening to them reflect about meeting a homeowner and the tour of the city always reminds me of why we do this trip every year. After our home state was hit by Sandy, we all spent time reflecting on the purpose of this trip and if we are still doing the right thing my traveling down each year. For me, our commitment to help rebuild New Orleans goes hand in hand with our commitment to help rebuild New Jersey. We would not want those helping in NJ to forget about us and homes still not be rebuilt 8 years after the storm, so we won't do that to New Orleans. While some may have forgotten, there are still many, many people here working to get residents back into their homes. When we get back to New Jersey, the hope is that we will continue the efforts with TCNJ's Here for Home campaign and inspire even more people to join the effort.
So far, the students have worked on two different houses, mudding and preparing the drywall for paint in both places, they have ripped up floors and helped with other projects. Along with the building efforts, the students went on a swamp tour, a driving tour of the city, into the French Quarter, out for some delicious New Orleans food, and spent lots of time bonding with each other.
Hopefully you are enjoying the blog posts from the Bonners and getting that glimpse into what it is like to be on this trip for them!
I will be posting pictures soon too!!
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