Yesterday, I had such an "i love the south" day. Honestly, they're infrequent. I really like living here, but it's rare that I LOVE living here. But yesterday, I had two assignments: go to a gathering of Hurricane Katrina evacuees and talk to Louisiana State fans about yesterday's game against Vanderbilt.
At the evacuee gathering, I met several interesting characters. There was a woman who had suffered so much abuse in her life and felt blessed to end up in Tennessee. She got her very first birthday cake in the shelter. She hugged me about 8 times. Then there were these college students who were from Nashville but went to college in New Orleans. We all know that college is more like home than home... they wanted to go HOME. Then there was a slam poet talking about being left to die in New Orleans, the joke that is FEMA and smoking cigarettes just to get the taste of the flooded city from his mouth. And of course, how he felt when he found out that plane he got on was going to Nashville... "Woo, hoo, we're gon' meet Willie Nelson! And Dolly Parton, who I'd like to hug."
Then, on to LSU fans... now, having gone to Salve, we don't really know anything about college team loyalty. But yesterday this whole city was packed with people who drove 6, 8, even 16 hours for the game. I barely even saw any Vanderbilt fans, and they're the home team. I met a guy who hasn't missed an LSU game, home or away, for 24 years. He lost three homes and his business, everything he owns, in the hurricane. But he wasn't about to miss a party.
In short, these Southerners know what's important. It's not stuff. It's being alive... and a good party.
P.S. Love to hear what y'all are doin. :)
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In short, these Southerners know what's important. It's not stuff. It's being alive... and a good party.
How true. I mean look at what New Orleans was all about - celebrating.
I really wish I had made it there before this hurricane. It was one of my things to do before I die, but now it won't be the same. It was very smart of y'all to go during break.
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