I am sitting here trying to blog about my day and the pungent aroma of stinky feet is terrorizing my nose. I thought perhaps it might be my own feet and I voiced my concerns to the individual to my left who then informed me that it was hers, proudly. Who on earth would be proud of their feet smelling? A photojournalist who earned that smell documenting truth in the world around us, that’s who. Julysa, you and your smelly socks rock!
Now to sort through the smell and recall my actions of today. Laura, Tricia and I went to the USS Alabama, which was invigorating. The USS Alabama is a battleship full of history from World War II. As I walked the deck of this massive battleship, the wind blowing so forceful I felt as if I was getting wind burn and was more concerned about that than the sun. It occurred to me that the wind, which was the primary concern for this landlubber, was the least of concern for the men and women of the armed forces who manned this vessel. I can only imagine how it would have been full speed ahead, engaged in war. This is just a piece of a very large puzzle of our military history.
I also had the good fortune to meet Col. Glenn D. Frazier, a survivor of the Bataan Death March who was a prisoner of war for three and a half years. He was selling the book he wrote titled “Hell’s Guest” which documented his experience from “Bataan”. The cover picture of the book, taken by a japanese photographer, shows the death march and he clearly visible in the photograph. I purchased this book and am excited to get to read it, I love military history and thought it was amazing that I got to meet Col. Frazier.
From the USS Alabama we went and picked up Julysa and Zahra who were at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and we all went to lunch. We ate at Saucy Q’s Bar-b-que and that pulled chicken sandwich was amazing.
I would continue to tell you about my day, but we were just instructed to go to bed. Goodnight!
Irene Abrego
lauravgarcia
julysasosa
triciabuchhorn
alisonwadley1
zahrafarah
2write4life
dajames101
drlo1234
I am curious to know how the effects of the oil spill is having on the man made stuff (docks, marina’s, boats) and historical artifacts along the coast line. You also said the wind was really blowing hard on top of the Battleship USS Alabama. As you are aware sea spray is often carried through the air inland. Are the local’s noticing if the wind off the ocean is carrying any of this oil inland?
Since you posed your question I have modified my questions while interviewing people. What I have found out so far is that there are clean up crews specifically for the docks, marinas, boats and beaches. However, at this time I have only encountered the clean up crews along the beaches.
I spoke with a gentleman who has assisted with cleaning up the oil yesterday who explained to me the different types of boom. He informed me that yellow and orange boom are barrier boom which are designed to keep the oil from coming into the shore and white boom is designed to absorb the oil. I personally have seen the yellow and orange boom but do not recall seeing the white boom. At the time I was unaware of the differences in boom and failed to take note of the color naively thinking it was all to absorb.
As far as the locals noticing it, there are tar balls along the beach shores, and in some areas you can see plumes of them rolling in and the locals have noticed that. As for it being carried through the air getting on homes and things of that nature, I was told from a General Foreman of a company contracted to help clean up the beachside oil that it wasn’t like that. I haven’t spoken with anyone that lives on the beach at this time and if that changes I will do my best to keep you informed. Thank you for your feedback.