It All Comes Full Circle Build Day #8

Bike to the build site: 10.33 miles

Total mileage: 869.93 miles + 5 mile ferry ride

Things were pretty much business as usual when we headed to the build it's. Several riders were not digging the roads so most of them vaned to the site. Feeling badly for Bernard and wanting to ride my bike to the site, I was able to convince Trent to ride along with me and we made it successfully before the second shuttle arrived. David and I were charged with a new task, building window frames which used the same geometry as baseboards and shoe molding, but with a reversed angle. I was having an extremely hrd time comprehending how the boards red us posed to go together so David volunteered to it everything if I nailed it into place.

Because the boards were so much thinner I was given a nail gun hooked up to an air compressor. The thing was a bit scary to use at first due to the small space we were working in was very loud as well.

 

That afternoon we caught another glimpse of the peacock who has been hanging around the hood. Apparently it flew here (or was carried) after Katrina and never left. Here it is on someone's roof.

Things were coming together towards the afternoon with the floors finished, doors up and most o fire baseboards/molding finished. Below we have the renter's half of the house.

 

After we cleaned up the crew headed back over to the neighborhood we are staying to check out a Welcome Home ceremony. Whenever the St. Bernard's Project finishes a home they have a ribbon cutting ceremony as a way of bringing the homeowner, volunteers and community together. Most of the people in attendance were AmeriCorps working in NOLA, our crew, staff from SBP and some members from UPS who helped sponsor building this home.

The homeowner gave a short, but powerful speech and you could see how excited he was to get into his home. One of the staff members talked about how important it was for volunteers and community members to talk about what is going on in the community and how an need still exists. Many of those who are still living in FEMA trailers or packed in with friends and family have had a rough time getting back on their feet. Surprisingly many people who were hit the hardest owned their homes - it served as a source of pride and allowed families to live near each other. Unfortunately when people tried to rebuild, some hired contractors who started the job, but then left with their money. With nothing left in thier accounts some began to bounce around transitional housing, were forced to move in with family or across town away from their family or even leave the city all together.

Like Chip said last night, the city is doing well, but there is still a lot of work to be done. One of the hard parts about the rebuilding process here in NOlA is that a lot of it is happening jack-o-lantern style or that homes are popping up randomly in neighborhoods as money and resources become available. This makes it much harder to create a sense of community because neighbors are spread further apart and there is less incentive for people and businesses to come to the area.

Let tonight a bunch of us headed out to Frenchman street which is filled with bars and live music. Marcus and I got our dance on during the first group. I wish that I could get the video up here, but am currently experiencing technical difficulties. The second group was a big brass band, much like the one we saw on Tuesday night.

We wandered around for a bit and stood outside the Spotted Cabto listen to a GREAT swing band. Sadly we had an under 21 year with us so we could not get in, but things were hopping. We did come across as bike shop which was closed. Some of us looked longingly at the merchandise through the barred doors.

 

The night wrapped up at midnight (we did have to get home for curfew), but we stopped at Cafe Du Mont for beignets before go hopping in a cab.