New Orleans

Due to a certain someone's (ahemmm) suspicion that the picture of me on the Habitat roof in New Orleans may actually be a roof placed on the ground :) I have posted another picture! I am the one closest to the edge in the black jacket.

I had a great time learning all about roofing from Colin, one of the Habitat group leaders, and even finishing off this roof. I guarantee there will be no leaks on that roof on my watch! In total, there were about 70 people working on about 5 different houses in this area. We did everything from roofing, to siding, to building steps and even raising walls.

Each morning starts off with a bagpipe seranade from one of the Habitat crew leaders which was pretty cool (though I am sure the neighbors are none too pleased...).

After 2 days of working on the homes (one for a very sweet lady that is a 15 year breast cancer survivor and social worker), we took a tour of some of the areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.

This is a photo of the 9th ward. All of the concrete slabs are where homes used to be, but were washed away (only brick homes remain). You could also see concrete steps that used to lead into the homes, but now lead to nothing. I couldn't believe the amount of devastation, even over 2 years later.

This is a memorial where the blue poles show how high the water rose in some areas.

Thanks for letting me post and I can't wait to see everyone in March!!!