Day Two, Part Two: A Preface to the City of Contrasts

A Pensive Pair

We've covered a lot of ground today. About 500 miles across the South, and in some ways more challenging, a crash course about a city like none other. I can hardly wait to explore it tomorrow, but we wanted to get a few thoughts down before they are completely changed. 

By the time we made it our friend's family home (another member of the Mizzou Mafia, this time a sports reporter in working in Baton Rouge who actually pretends not to favor the Saints or Alabama. :) Yeah, right.), we were exhausted but so excited to arrive at our final destination. We had another great home-cooked meal before the Saints game started and then as we lost the boys to ESPN, Christy and I snuck away with Michael's mom to get a private tour of Mandeville after dark. It was great.  

I don't know what I liked more...getting a view of Lake Pontchartrain at night or hearing the story of how Mr. and Mrs. Kelly met. And to call her stories about the children forever changed by Katrina compelling seems like a gross understatement. The force of the storm and its true effects are hard to comprehend but they tell so much about the city and its people. The history and culture and adversity of this place combines to create an almost-tangible feeling of pride resilience....and we haven't even seen it yet. Tomorrow will be a whirlwind of a day but I think 24 hours from now both Christy and I will feel a profound sense of growth when it comes to understanding our complex nation. I can't wait. 

On the agenda tomorrow:
- walking through the French Quarter
- the 9th Ward
- Brad Pitt houses (told you we might see him!)
- BBQ shrimp
- snowballs, gelato, another traditional N.O. food that I can't even remember
- Tulane's campus
- Bourbon street
- Jazz!

Whoa...slightly exhausting just thinking about it. Guess I should get some sleep. Thanks for reading! Let us know if you have must-see ideas for our journey!

E & C