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Day 1: Mike’s Take

November 18th, 2017. 9:25PM

As first time members of the Bucknell Katrina Recovery Team you never know what to expect. You always think you are ready and prepared but till you start the experience you never quite know. So our journey started at 5:30am this morning outside Smith Hall. The cold fall air gave us a jolt and pushed us on our journey.  During our ride, it was very quiet as many of the team decided to rest up for our trip. For some others we were able to watch the sunrise and be energized by the new day.

Once we made it to the airport we were ready to start our journey with our new team and friends. Quickly after we received our tickets, we divided in teams to tackle and explore the Philly airport. It was a pick your own adventure kind of morning, as some stopped at familiar eateries while others choices were a little more adventuress.  But, just as quick as our journey started the next leg of travel started.

By 11am, we were in flight to our destination. Some again used the time to recharge their batteries for our trip. Others used the time to catch up on some much needed work. We were all preparing in our own ways. During the flight we all at one time or another, took a moment to look at the beauty that was bestowed on us from the air.

Once we laned in Louisiana, it was a sensory overload. Some of us quietly looked forward in our seats and were patiently waiting for lunch. Others curiously looked around and absorbed the sites, bridges, homes, and cultures of where we were driving through.  Throughout the ride we joked, had small talk, but also were talking about the sites and neighborhoods we were driving through.

One particular impactful moment, was looking down a neighborhood street.  Seeing homes in all types of conditions looking as a depiction of America with beautiful houses with well-maintained lawns, next to homes that looked like they were hanging by a thread.  The part that really struck me was when I saw a neighbor come out of a home with a sunken in roof, running out and helping their neighbor. When I mentioned to the group what I saw, the response that was so simple yet I wasn’t thinking is “these are their homes, some are able to be fixed, while others are just their homes and this is all they have.” At that moment was the first time I had a full realization of why KRT is still coming to Louisiana after all these years.  In the next few days we will learn the why, but shortly after that we will work on the how we can help. It is not just a journey of helping, but also learning from one another and also from this new environment.

 

 

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