So much has been whirling through my head from this last week that I can't even begin to describe it. I have no idea where to begin. I fell in love this week, with a city that I thought I would hate the first night I arrived. First I will describe the social part of the trip, which I believe will be a bit easier to pen. There were of 8 of us, most of whom only may have known 1 or none of the other people traveling. The first night was quite awkward, as we attempted to get to know each other and figure out who we would possibly become friends with. The first two nights were group dinners and we slowly became more comfortable. Before I go on, I must say that on the second day after interviewing, we went to a coffee shop, where the boy at the counter smiled at me. He seemed nice. Anyway, the defining moment, where a true bond was created came when Ayaka, Kevin, Emily and I decided to go out on our own. We found some small bars a little outside the French Quarter. They were on small streets where mostly locals hung out. We drank, smoked and listened to music. This is where the 4 of us met Tony, a local who was hanging out at The Apple Barrell. We talked and talked and ended up going back to his place to hang out, then to another Bar. We weren't tourists at this point. I don't think we ever were. We were connected to the city somehow. On the way to Tony's place, we somehow walk by the coffee shop which I thought was in a different part of town. I told Tony about the guy there, and said he knew him. Coincedence number one. Well, we tried to get Tony to have Travis come hang out, but he forgot for a night or two.
The next night the 4 of us (with Bill, Sarah & therese as additions) decided to go back. We hung out with Tony and got massivly drunk/stoned, I can't begin to describe the atmosphere of the bars and the excitement of having fun with great friends on streets you are just learning about. It came down to our last night. Ayaka, Emily, Kevin and I had become so close. We laughed and shared secrets and learned the meaning of friends. Of course we promised to hang out once school starts again, and maybe before. During the day on Sunday we stopped by the coffee shop again. Travis was working, and Tony was coming out of it. Tony tells me he gave Travis my number. Then I felt silly about even going in there, but I did. I introduced myself to him and (after Roberta left!), we made plans to hang out when he got off of work. We all went out to dinner, took pictures, and even had a big group hug afterwards. Then all headed down to our usual bars. Aya and Emily went to go smoke with Tony and I waited for Travis. It was nice. We talked over wine and smoked with his roommate. He was a standup guy, for real. It was great that we were able to hang out, although it was so sad I was leaving the next day. We exchanged numbers and emails and all would be in touch, and hopefully hang out again soon when we come back. I just know after last night, I will never be the same again. Ever.
Im going to miss everybody. Tony, Travis, and all the people on the trip with me. Even Stephen, and maayyyybe Roberta.
Quotes:
***"That is not a friendly face" - Bill Reese, on Roberta, the witch.
"I just got cockblocked by Roberta!" - Me at the coffee shop
"Oh yea baby, pull my leg out of it's socket" - Ayaka
"Who am I guys? ::failed cartwheel:: - Kevin making fun of abercrombie kid
"I hate vodka shots, they make me ::does shot:: ::runs to bathroom to puke:: - Me @ checkpoint charlies
"Jailbate!" - Emily being a pimp
'He called!! I feel like I sounded like a guy on the phone... do I look like a guy?" - Me when Travis called
"I am so horny right now" - Ayaka after some red wine
"I gotta poop!" - anonymous
"The human bulldozer" - Stepehn on Roberta
"I love your energy. I mean, I realllly do." - Stephen to me.
"I want to be a black transexual" - Stephen.
Oh, and we will never ever ever forget the live Oaks.. hahaha
** - quote of the year, 2006. Made the red van laugh for about 20 minutes, it was all about the delivery.
I am writing this on the plane coming home. "The Blower's Daughter" is playing and I feel melancholy about leaving. I want to stay forever. I want to build a home there and be free. We plan on having a reunion soon, in a city we're all a part of now.
Tomorrow, look for part 2. It will be about all the great work we did down there. We were activists, journalists, volunteers and students. It was truly beautiful.
The next night the 4 of us (with Bill, Sarah & therese as additions) decided to go back. We hung out with Tony and got massivly drunk/stoned, I can't begin to describe the atmosphere of the bars and the excitement of having fun with great friends on streets you are just learning about. It came down to our last night. Ayaka, Emily, Kevin and I had become so close. We laughed and shared secrets and learned the meaning of friends. Of course we promised to hang out once school starts again, and maybe before. During the day on Sunday we stopped by the coffee shop again. Travis was working, and Tony was coming out of it. Tony tells me he gave Travis my number. Then I felt silly about even going in there, but I did. I introduced myself to him and (after Roberta left!), we made plans to hang out when he got off of work. We all went out to dinner, took pictures, and even had a big group hug afterwards. Then all headed down to our usual bars. Aya and Emily went to go smoke with Tony and I waited for Travis. It was nice. We talked over wine and smoked with his roommate. He was a standup guy, for real. It was great that we were able to hang out, although it was so sad I was leaving the next day. We exchanged numbers and emails and all would be in touch, and hopefully hang out again soon when we come back. I just know after last night, I will never be the same again. Ever.
Im going to miss everybody. Tony, Travis, and all the people on the trip with me. Even Stephen, and maayyyybe Roberta.
Quotes:
***"That is not a friendly face" - Bill Reese, on Roberta, the witch.
"I just got cockblocked by Roberta!" - Me at the coffee shop
"Oh yea baby, pull my leg out of it's socket" - Ayaka
"Who am I guys? ::failed cartwheel:: - Kevin making fun of abercrombie kid
"I hate vodka shots, they make me ::does shot:: ::runs to bathroom to puke:: - Me @ checkpoint charlies
"Jailbate!" - Emily being a pimp
'He called!! I feel like I sounded like a guy on the phone... do I look like a guy?" - Me when Travis called
"I am so horny right now" - Ayaka after some red wine
"I gotta poop!" - anonymous
"The human bulldozer" - Stepehn on Roberta
"I love your energy. I mean, I realllly do." - Stephen to me.
"I want to be a black transexual" - Stephen.
Oh, and we will never ever ever forget the live Oaks.. hahaha
** - quote of the year, 2006. Made the red van laugh for about 20 minutes, it was all about the delivery.
I am writing this on the plane coming home. "The Blower's Daughter" is playing and I feel melancholy about leaving. I want to stay forever. I want to build a home there and be free. We plan on having a reunion soon, in a city we're all a part of now.
Tomorrow, look for part 2. It will be about all the great work we did down there. We were activists, journalists, volunteers and students. It was truly beautiful.