I’ve been here 6 days and I have fallen more in love with this city than I had ever expected. The people, the culture, and the community were all so welcoming and different. There is such diversity in who lives here and what music plays in the streets…Oh yeah, music is playing in the street. How cool is that? Black, brown, white, all colors of people are welcome. The beauty of New Orleans is that it is one giant community. Everyone is somehow connected to someone else in some fascinating way. Our tour guide Barbara R. and the bus driver Jackie had the same last name. They had joked that there was some connection in family ties early in history. Regardless of whether they were related or not, they had this bond that was so warm and sincere.
I’m having the time of my life. For someone who has never been farther than 100 miles from home, it feels great to be independent in a city such as New Orleans. I love it! This community makes me feel secure and happy to be alive and free. They say in New Orleans to “Let the good times roll!” Believe it!! You will truly enjoy it like I do!
Stay free and love life,
Jimbo Lozano Jr.
Sophomore at Chapman University
Rebuilding in New Orleans 
January 15, 2010 at 7:28 am |
My thoughts and prayers have been with you this week. Thank you for the time you have committed to rebuilding people’s lives. You are making a significant difference in a VERY long-term effort.
Share more photos whenever you can. It seems that the Lower 9th Ward looked exactly the same as when we were there 2 years ago. Sad.
Tami Otsuka
January 14, 2011 at 4:26 am |
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It got me through one of the toughest weeks of my life.
-J