I had never been to New Orleans before I went there for the Literacy and Justice For All distribution there last week; whoa.

The city was absolutely unlike any other place I had ever been; it feels like a different country! We experienced so many things that are unique to that place: one of the Coast Guard lieutenants with whom we worked invited us over to his house for a shrimp boil (we actually had to take the heads off of the shrimp! and he was complaining that it was expensive…at $3/pound!). That same lieutenant drove us around the city on a “Destruction Tour”; the prevalence and scope of the destruction that remains A YEAR AFTER the hurricanes was mind-boggling.

After enjoying a couple of beignets and some cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde, I could really see why people felt the need to rebuild New Orleans; it is so unique and fantastic! I was wicked psyched to be a part of the revitalization of the city by participating in the Literacy and Justice For All distribution; it was great to meet some of the groups who are working so hard to help children and families try to regain a sense of normalacy. It was also great to work in the Coast Guard warehouse; I got to drive a forklift, and I met some wonderful and efficient “Coasties” (they could load books into a truck/trailer/you name it faster than I could say “First Book!”). It was neat to witness firsthand the great partnership that we have with the Coast Guard.

In addition to enjoying some delicious food (including FREE cookies at the hotel! Every child’s dream come true!), I got to practice my southern-speak. I believe I actually said “all y’all,” and I was wicked close to calling someone “honey chil’ ” (I don’t even know how to spell it!). Rachael commented that this was the first time she came back without a southern accent, which can probably be attributed to the fact that she was perfecting the use of the word “wicked;” she now knows that it’s a synonym for the words “very” and “extreme,” and that it is only rarely used twice in a row (i.e. “I am wicked, wicked psyched.”)

I had a wicked good time in New Orleans, and I’m a’fixin’ to go back again, if’n I ever git the chance.