Backtracking

The past three days have been a whirlwind of interviews, photographs and research and maybe a little bit of luck. I’ve been so crazy busy that I neglected to blog. My apologies!

Last night, Zahra and I finally met to discuss our list of stories and possible angles and assignments, which resulted in a two-hour meeting in the hotel lobby. I also pulled more than 680 photos from my two cameras and managed to crawl into bed at about 2 a.m. But enough about me being tired.

This is an amazing opportunity that despite being exhausted and stressed all day I just can’t believe I’m here talking to BP oil spill contract beach cleaners, Hurricane Katrina survivors, visiting tourists, skeptical locals and military veterans on-board the USS Alabama. Basically just chatting it up with anyone who will talk to us.

Right now I’m sitting in the hotel lobby again, this time for breakfast and trying to reflect on some of the most interesting people we encountered along the Gulf Coast. It’s now Day 5 and I’m thinking about how these people were affected by the oil spill less than five years after recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

On Monday we walked through the Ninth Ward near the levees in New Orleans and saw the nice eco-friendly homes that were built for the people who’s homes were destroyed in 2005. Only previous residents of the Ninth Ward are able to move to that area and interestingly enough we saw a house that could float. We’re still figuring that one out and how it differs from a house boat. My guess is that it’s a more permanent residents and only floats if necessary in an emergency with high waters. And many of the bright and cheery-looking homes had solar panels. But there were still remnants of the past. Empty lots still stood there with only concrete house steps and overgrown grass where former residents once lived. There were still spray-painted symbols for which rescue crews checked the home after the hurricane, what date they checked it and whether they found any bodies. It’s just visually jarring to see such nice homes next to homes that are still being gutted out with broken windows and roofs that have collapsed. The recovery efforts continue as the residents try their best to pick up the pieces and return to normalcy.

In Biloxi, Mississippi we visited a beautiful memorial for the victims of the natural disaster. There was a great, big tile mosaic art piece depicting a wave and showed the actual height the water reached on the shore. It looks like it would’ve reached the second floor of a building. The local survivors donated partially damaged items they found from what was left of their homes and a sort of time capsule was created.

Oh, but a little before that, we caught up with a Gulfport man The Ranger interviewed almost five years ago who lost his house after Hurricane Katrina. He built a large, beautiful home after the hurricane and has since downsized. He is really nice and we met the infamous daschund, Copper, who has since gained some weight.

Oh and I can’t forget our interviews on Gulfport beach. Alison, Julysa and I talked with contract oil spill workers and saw what oil looks like when it washes to shore. The workers were collecting the oil and placing on a plastic tarp area. The area would then be transported to one area in town. We couldn’t get an answer to where the oil would be moved after that but I believe samples were going for testing. We’re still working on clear answers. Much of the workers were wary of commenting and even if some talked, they were hesitant to give their names.

Then night fell and our group had to head to the hotel and find some dinner. We left Mississippi and arrived in Daphne, Alabama. I attempted to rest in the hotel, but with four chatty girls this proved to be a challenge. Not that I can complain about a surplus of good laughs.