Week 2, post 1

After 1 week, I realize how old and set in my ways I am. I'm doing ok without a closet and a shower and all those amenities. I can rough it. But what I was used to for all those years was the efficiency of an office and a set calendar. One client after another was efficient and rewarding. Now I'm in a strange place, and getting set up and going is taking longer than I expected. I'm having to adjust. But I'm still (mostly) enjoying the challenge.

I have a new sidekick -- a young Lutheran DCE intern named Aaron. We went down the bayou together this afternoon and surveyed the area. We stopped at a home, where a man was outdoors. When I exited the car we recognized each other immediately -- he had been one of the Rita evacuees at South Terrebonne High School. He was happily shocked that I had come back, and welcomed me. He is a community leader and I believe will help me connect with the people needing to see me. It may have little to do with the hurricane proper. The issues may just be "life."

After our meeting, Aaron and I returned to my host's, where we proceeded to pull trash out of the bayou. Strong and energetic, Aaron was a big help. We doused ourselves liberally with muck, but got some rewarding physical work done.

Aaron will likely be with me for 2 weeks -- then off to europe for him

These Cajuns/bayou people (at leastthe men) appear to have very clear and durable values. The heirarchy appears to go something like this:
1 -- hunting
2-- fishing
3--Their children (or other family members)
4--work

It doesn't necesarily lead to the acquisition of a lot of material goods, but there's a lot of joy in it. There's also a very close connection to nature. My host told me, "Once you've been down here, you'll always come back." I can feel it. It grows on me.

Do you want to help hurricane victims? One way to start is in your own home -- educate yourself. Read: 1) People of the Bayou or 2) Bayou Farewell. You'll find either book very enlightening.

Peace, Warren.