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It is Big World ... Shine Brightly
Princeton Presbyterians
Mission Trip to
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Day One: Saturday, July 1
Princeton, New Jersey to Ocean Springs, Mississippi
"or planes, trains and automobiles"
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We embarked on our journey at approximately 6:30 a.m. this morning and found ourselves embedded in the comfortable accommodations of U.S. Air. After a one hour stationary adventure (waiting for lavatories to be serviced), we got in the queue of departing planes. During our flight, we were amused by the interesting assortment of magazines brought by the Presby kidz. U.S. Air tried to sign us up for credit cards. We scurried off of the plane a mere 2 hours later and went to the baggage claim. The airways managed to lose several bags including many necessary items (e.g. clothing and bibles).
All was not lost, however, as we made our merry way through the French Quarter to witness the wonders of The Big Easy. Though much still needs to be repaired (most visibly the Superdome), the jovial spirit of New Orleans was reflected by the apparent 3 p.m. happy hour. We got to try beignets (aka square-shaped funnel cakes). After lunching at the Riverwalk in the French Quarter, we sadly trudged back over the railroad tracks to our Kia van and spent the next hour and a half trekking to Mississippi. We are now nicely settled in at the First Prez of Ocean Springs and after a yummy pizza dinner, many are getting ready for bed (or, in the case of those without luggage, the floor).
The Newark Group, a 7:10AM flight, had an easier time of it with Continental. We left on time, got in 20 minutes early and no lost luggage, even our guitars arrived safe and sound. We had some time to kill while waiting for the Philadelphia contingent, so we went to Alamo, to see if they would rent us all the minivans, so that we would be ready to go. No chance, so we got one, went down the road for breakfast, or rather brunch at that point, at Denny's.
It was after 1 when the Philadelphia folks finally got in, and nearly another hour until the vans were sorted out. Once we were all set, we headed off for Riverwalk and a tour of the French Quarter. While there were folks out on the streets, there were probably one quarter the number of people you would expect to see on a Saturday afternoon. Many of the shops were closed, not from hurricane damage, but due to lack of traffic, and the entire Riverwalk, which is essentially a mall, was shut down by 5PM.
The drive to Ocean Springs took about 90 minutes. The town of Ocean Springs was not all as I had imagined it. It is a lovely coastal resort town, complete with upscale restaurants, boutiques, amazing live oaks that overhang the street, and beautiful, well-kept cottages. You would never know from driving down the main street that they had suffered through a major hurricane just a year ago.
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1. Filing aboard the 7:10 flight out of Newark |
2. An aisle seat, priceless |
3. On the shuttle bus to the car rental we hooked up with another work team from Bristol, Pennsylvania |
4. Waiting at the Alamo (car rental) |
5. We'll remember the Alamo for a long time, our reserved minivans weren't all there |
6. Our first stop in New Orleans, Riverwalk |
7. The mighty Mississippi, from the Riverwalk balcony |
8. A quick lunch at the Riverwalk Food Court |
9. Strolling down Riverwalk |
10. The River Steamboat Natchez |
11. French Quarter Ironwork |
12. The Cafe du Monde, beignets extrordinaire |
13. Corner of Bourbon Stree and St. Ann |
14. A French Quarter balcony |
15. St. Louis Cathedral |
16. Fresh bananas |
17. Richard and Hannah chillin' at the Cafe du Monde |
18. Waiting for the beignets |
19. Waiting for the train to pass |
20. We arrive at Ocean Springs |
21. The Conference Room, waiting for dinner to arrive |
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22. On the bus down to Philadelphia Airport |
23. Pre-boarding in Philadelphia |
24. Waiting for bags in New Orleans (that never left Phildelphia) |
25. The monent when the realization that your luggage isn't coming sets in |
26. "Doing the Riverwalk" |
27. Le Place de Espangna |
28. Caroline on the "Spanish Steps" |
29. The "Louis B. Porterie" a Mississippi ferry |
30. The New Orleans Holocaust Memorial |
31. The Louisiana State Museum |
32. Gathered on the plaza in front of St. Louis Cathedral |
33. um, feather boas? |
34. The French Market |
35. Getting ready for the night |
36. Pizza for dinner |
37. Hannah doesn't duck fast enough |
38. Making new friends |
39. The last holdouts |