Art

Outer Journey

New Orleans is full of artwork and artists of all kinds. It’s a beautiful sight to see and the people that capture these moments make you feel what they have seen and experienced. There were so many artists that it’s hard to choose just one that was my favorite. I really enjoyed looking at Esther Barend’s artwork though. She started her career with other forms of art such as jewelry designing and didn’t start fine art classes until later in life. She currently lives in Spain but her collections can be found throughout the USA, Europe, Japan, and Australia. She draws her viewers and uses vibrant colors and designs within the portraits. She likes to describe her work and what she captures as the perfect imperfections. These abstract paintings are based off of her current emotions that she can freely explain on the canvas but leaves freedom for her viewers to develop their own story or meaning to her work. Her work leaves a little mystery and freedom for the viewers to develop their own stories in the art. 

Inner Journey

I really enjoyed this artwork because of the aura of mystery her paintings have. Each left room to form your own idea or story behind each painting and she did a great job to capture her moments. The loud and vibrant colors used almost make you feel the emotions behind them. I like that they’re not only portraits of people but the designs on the people like they are puzzle and the pieces have come together. These designs almost seem like tattoos on a person with meaning behind them. Every little detail in her paintings feel like they have a story to tell or an emotion behind them. It’s hard not to get lost in them, feeling the freedom and beauty. 

Melody fills the city

Outer Journey

I loved New Orleans in the fact that everywhere you walked you could hear music, there was always melody filling the city. There was all kinds of different music and it was hard not to stop and listen. There were many that performed on the streets and many that played live at restaurants or bars. On Brynna and Rachels birthday we went to have lunch and BBQ Kings where there was live music playing. The band’s name was Willie Lockett & The Blues Krewe, they obviously played blues and the singer had that really low, raspy voice. The other members played the drums, bass, and guitar. They found it was the girls birthday and had them on stage to sing them the “southern way of happy birthday”. They had Brynna and Rachel use the cow bell and triangle to play along to their fast pace version of Happy Birthday. We sat and listened to them for about an hour play which I really enjoyed their style. They included their audience and made for a fun atmosphere. When they played it wasn’t “strict” and didn’t have to be perfect. They were just “jamming” with each other as friends, having a good time. We talked to the lead singer during their break and he told us that they have traveled all over to play but nothing is like playing at home in New Orleans. 

Inner Journey

You can’t help but feel happiness when walking the streets of New Orleans. There are people constantly singing, people playing music, and people dancing to the melodies. It was amazing to me the things people would use to make music. One day I walked by a little boy that was taking the bottoms of soda can and sticking them to the bottom of his shoes and began to tap dance. There were people that used buckets as drums of all different sizes. Of course, there are the people that play their instruments and playing together as a band. You can see the joy on their faces as they play too, they’re so passionate about their music and bringing happiness to other people. I loved that it wasn’t competition of who played the best, who had the spotlight, or if there was a chord or note missed. They truly enjoyed playing their music and with each other. People gathered around to listen, smiling, and dancing a long. It’s almost like time freezes and you forget about every worry or what you need to do next. It’s this moment and experience you get to share with the people around you and truly enjoy these blissful moments.

there is one race and that's the human race

Outer Journey

It's really hard to choose just one favorite place on this trip, it was all such a great learning experience! If I were to choose my favorite spot in the French Quarter, it would be Jackson statue looking at the cathedral. I think this is the most interesting and my favorite because it is the place that has brought this city to be so close together. It is the religion, spirit, and heart of the city that has gotten them all through these hard times. When standing there you can feel the history of this city and how it’s members cherish their home, New Orleans. It’s where the City started, you look around and you see Andrew Jacksons statue who saved the city from being invaded by the British. Micaela Almonester Pontalba had built the historical homes that surround the square and holds so much history. The Cathedral is where everyone has met to worship and practice their religion which has brought them close together. I think it’s a good place for people to see and feel the history in this city. It still brings people together, there are artists that hang there art on the fence around the square. There are performers that meet to the fill the square with music, laughter, and joy. I just think it’s a beautiful place that accepts everyone for who they are. 

Inner Journey

This trip has made me learn a lot and I’m really glad that I went on it. I really can’t wait until I can go back and visit! My favorite part was that it was all organized for you to get to see all of the city and learn it’s history but, you were also able to do your own thing during the trip as well. I loved that when you walked down the street you were surrounded by art with seeing it, the buildings, hearing it, the people, it was just everywhere! I loved that this city is not fast paced by any means, everyone just takes it easy and is “chill”, no one really seems to be living by an agenda. It really made me slow down and just take in my surroundings to enjoy, that was a huge life long lesson I learned on this trip. I also loved when you’re walking down the street people aren’t rushing to place to place on their cell phones and avoiding to talk to anyone around them. Here everyone talks to one another, complimenting each other, and just accepting anyone for who they are. No one sees each other as competition and seemed to want the best for each other. I really saw this with the bands, when they played it wasn’t to be perfect or to be the best. They played to have a good time and have a “jam session” with each other. The way of life there is to really enjoy your everyone moment and to bring others into that happy place with you.

the feels

Outer Journey

The presbytere was an interesting museum that I learned a lot from. It was different that the lower level was about Katrina and then top floor about Mardis Gras. I found the Katrina part to be the most interesting and it was really emotional. There was a part that talked about how people went to the Super-Dome for safety and shelter. There was no electricity or plumbing so the smells were horrible and making them sick. Branches of the army wouldn’t talk to each other to organize things which was really just failing the people. There was a section about the hospital and how they had to wait for anyone to show up. There was a time they had saw a helicopter and had so much joy and hope, they were celebrating that they were being rescued but then just saw it going farther and farther away. They had made signs to bring hope to themselves and to show that they are still there needing rescued. The doctors and nurses worked to keep patients alive without electricity and worked with what they had. 

The Mardis Gras part I was surprised to learn about the New Orleans Police Department are so experienced with crowd control that they are nationally recognized for crowd control. They also provide training throughout America for crowd control. The set up for Mardis Gras starts days before including special signs for parking and baracades to help with control and keeping away from the floats. The clean-up for each parade results close to 50 tons of garbage so there are special clean-up crews and street sweepers too. 

During the ghost tour I learned a lot as well, I thought it was really interesting that they couldn’t figure out how to do 3 story homes until after the 1840s so it is a way to tell dates of some homes. I also thought it was interesting to learn that zombies are really the connection between them and their god, it is the feeling that the person embraces when worshiping. Voodoo dolls are wrongly known as “evil” but really they became known because slaves could not read or write so they used the dolls to show what they have done to help heal someone, not a curse.  

Inner Journey

The Katrina part of the museum didn’t only give you the history but tried to give you some of the experience. When you first walk in you see three TV screens with actual footage from the hurricane, lights to make it seem like there’s lightening, and sounds to hear the wind and thunder. It’s not even close to what they would have experienced but it was good to have some kind of an idea of how it was. You also heard phone calls of people calling in and you could hear in their voice how scared they were. There was a section that was a “diary” of a man that was writing on a wall of what he was doing, experiencing, or seeing. The section of the hospital workers was also very emotional to me. The selfless acts of the workers to be there for patients and families while still trying to get through this themselves. One doctor had thought everyone needed to cheer up some, so gathered supplies for everyone to join together and make signs to hang outside. It brought tears to my eyes when it was described that soon after the workers, patients, and families began on the sign they could soon hear laughter and joy from each other. 

The other part of the day that made me feel emotional was on the ghost tour and learning about Delphine LaLaurie’s house. She was just such a horrible persona and the way she had tortured her slaves and these innocent people made me sick to my stomach. I just can’t understand how someone could even think of these kinds of acts, let alone get satisfaction from them. I just can’t imagine what these innocent people went through, and no one will ever know the extent of it, I just hope they have found peace on the other side.

More Cowbell!

Outer Journey

Today was an easy going day but we learned a lot and it was really enjoyable! We began with the Ursuline Convent and Cathedral. I learned that the Ursuline Convent is one of the two original French buildings in the French quarter, the rest are Spanish. The great fires wiped out the original buildings, the story that the Ursuline Convent was not affected by the fires is because the nuns put a statue of Virgin Mary in a window and prayed to God which caused the winds to blow in a different direction. I found the clock that was gift given to the Covnent to be very interesting that it went with the Nuns to Galva during a hurricane. The nuns had tied themselves to groups of children to take care, unfortunately no one survived. The clock had washed up to shore and restored which still works today. At the Cathedral I was very surprised to learn that members were buried in the floors and the last member was 3 months ago. Another thing I found to be interesting was that there were fossils in the floor with clams. We also went to the French market, where we stopped in BBKings for an appetizer and listen to live music. It is Brynna and Rachels birthdays so the band pulled them on stage and sang Southern Style Happy Birthday to them – with the cow bell and tambourine. Of course Brynna got the cow bell… “More Cow Bell!”  This was my favorite part of the day! We later went on a cuisine tour which was interesting. We tried beef brisket Po Boy, red beans and rice, “party in your mouth” dip, seafood gumbo, praline, shrimp remoulade, and turtle soup. My favorite was the Po Boy and my least favorite was turtle soup. Many of the restaurants were busy getting ready for dinner parties for the start of Mardis Gras so it was neat to see how it important Mardis Gras is to New Orleans and all the history behind it. At the restaurant Antoine’s there are rooms dedicate to the King and Queen. I was surprised with how many dining rooms are in these restaurants, Antoine’s and Arnaud’s, and found it interesting that they can be used for private dinners. Another fact that I learned about was about the backyards were the quarters and people slept on the balconies which were called "galleries" because it had the best airflow. There were Romeo or bachelor poles that had spikes on them so no-one could climb up them. 

Inner Journey 

I really enjoyed learning about all the work the members of the convent and cathedral have done throughout history. I couldn’t imagine losing everything in the fires and having to start over. I feel as if their faith in God has saved them in so many ways and find that inspiring. They had saved the Ursuline Convent from what they believed was an answer from their prayers and were able to help others start over. It was really touching to learn about how the nuns sacrificed themselves for others. Religion is really important and a way of life here and brings people together. The story about a family that comes from Michigan to baptize every member at the Cathedral because ancestors were baptized there was really moving. I just find New Orleans to be a really special place and community that they take such pride in and with helping each other. It’s a special way and place to bring all members together as one. Learning about the galleries or ‘balconies” made me appreciate being able to sleep in fresh air in a nice bed. I couldn’t imagine the smells being so awful and no air movement to sleep in so it’s better to sleep out on your balcony to smell the flowers in your quarter. The cuisine tour was a good way to try the different types of food and the cultural spice. I wasn’t a huge fan with a lot of the food but I got to try it and figure that out! My favorite was the PoBoy but did find the horseradish sauce to be a little spicy. This City is so historical they can even find history, stories, and meaning to the food they eat

Pharmacy

Outer Journey

I enjoyed the architecture tour and the tour through the first cemetery, I thought it was really interesting. I thought this tour was hard to hear with the walking and such a big group. But I feel like I still learned a lot on it.  I find it interesting that they have to keep the graves above ground because of flooding and that there may be more than one family member in each tomb. I really enjoyed the pharmacy tour and is so far my favorite tour. I thought the guide had a lot of good information, was easy to listen to, and was funny. I couldn’t believe all the things they used to use in medicine and how far we’ve come. The sizes of syringes, made out of lead, and how they weren’t able to clean them between uses. The use of opium in the 1800’s and early 1900s was unbelievable to me and that it was easy access and used as what we now use as ibuprofen. He said that it was mixed with alcohol to drink was considered Laudanum and was cheaper than getting a drink at the “bar” so there were many that would drink this instead. Heroin soon came out and used where it got its name because it made people feel “heroic”. I really enjoyed Frenchman Street too with all the music and art! It was a different atmosphere and crowd of people, but it was fun to see. We went to Café DeGrille and listened to a band that played rage music and could tell that they all enjoyed playing together and were easy going. 

Inner Journey 

I really feel like this is a close community that are so proud of their city. Everyone that I’ve come in contact with that is from New Orleans knows about the history and wants to tell you about it. They are all very informational and want you to enjoy their city! The tour guides we have come in contact with seem to be they are very factual and enjoy doing their job. We walked so much today, it was a great way to see the city but oh my! Back at the hotel now and I cannot believe how tired, exhausted, and sore I am! I took ibuprofen so I can hopefully handle tomorrow and doing it all over again. We tracked how much we walked today and I was at 11 miles. I feel like my brain isn’t even functioning right now that I need to get some sleep and finish tomorrow. 

We Made It!

Outer Journey

When getting in on the train it was not what I was expecting to see. It didn’t seem like a “city” and run down. Later I realized it is more of the downtown area and French quarters that are more of the “city”. We were able to get off the train, get our luggage, and got an uber “Keith”, the sweetest man ever, to the hotel. We each washed up and changed quick before it was time to head to dinner and do a little site seeing. We walked to the street car and sat next to a lady that had told us a story about her husband being stabbed earlier that morning in Jackson Square that we weren’t paying attention we lost our group and missed our stopped! We got off the street car and tried navigating ourselves to a popular place, figure out where we were, and find our group! Luckily we weren’t too far from them and easily found them. We were able to walk around Jackson square, see Andrew Jacksons statue, the cathedral, and learned some popular restaurants. For dinner we went to the Original Pierre Maspero’s where I had the best crab cakes over a spinach, mushroom, onion, and tomato salad. It was still raining that we rescheduled our ghost tour so had the rest of the night as “free time”. There was a group of us that walked to Bourbon street to see live Jazz at Fitzgerlad’s, they weren’t playing until later so we decided to go to Café Du Monde, then back to the hotel. The girls and I are now showered, face masked, relaxing, typing our blogs and watching American Horror Story the Convent that takes place in New Orleans. 

Inner Journey

When we were pulling into the train station I was surprised to see what New Orleans was looking like. It wasn’t what I was expecting and didn’t seem like it was the city I had built in my head. So then it was even more of a mystery of what to expect and what was to come during our trip. I was excited to get off the train and finally stretch! I was surprised at how warm and the humidity, I’m worried I might not have packed the right clothes. Our uber driver was such a great guy and he had a true New Orleans accent that we joked with him about and he joked with our Illinois Accents. I don’t think I would be able to drive here, there are so many narrow one way streets, people walking out everywhere, people riding bikes, road closings, and little weird turn about. After getting to the hotel we were in a time schedule to get to the street car so I felt rushed and didn’t really take our surroundings in. When we met the lady that had said her husband was stabbed that morning I felt really sorry for her and worried. She was really worried about us walking and I’m not really sure if or what had happened – but if it did I hope for a fast recovery! The food at the restaurant was amazing and I can’t wait to try more of the food here. After dinner it was raining so hard it was hard to take in our surroundings and wanted to get back inside. I’m glad to have a relaxing night in and get ready for our big day tomorrow. 

On Our Way!

Outer Journey

After class Bryanna, Lindsey, Rachel, and I got together, packed up the cars, and went to dinner. We talked about the things we want to do, places we want to go, and some ideas for our “free day”. I rode to the train station with Brynna, all our laughs and good conversations made the car ride go so fast. Being at the train station though felt like we’d never get out of there and the train couldn’t come soon enough. When we finally boarded I was surprised how quick it became “quiet time” and before I knew it I was out catching Z’s. Before leaving Peoria, Brynna and I had to stop at the store to get pillows since we had forgot ours at home. I’m not sure how much of a difference it made because sleeping on the train really aged me, I woke up feeling like I need a total hip and knee replacement! I got up at 8:00 and was surprised we were in Mississippi, the girls and I headed to the front for breakfast. Walking through the cars has been the biggest challenge thus far, these tiny little isles, all seats filled with people sleeping, and your trying not to be THAT person who falls onto them – with my horrible morning breath “sooorrryy”. I’m sitting in the front carts now writing this while being able to watch out the window. I knew Mississippi was “swampy” but it’s not what I had imagined it looking like. It’s almost like you can’t tell if they have gotten too much rain or if it’s always just muddy, mossy water. There have been little cricks that I have noticed and I think that they cover the tracks some because you can hear the train go through it, like when you drive through a big puddle. There are some fields too that I’ve noticed, it looks like it’d be our Illinois corn fields but with cotton. A lot of the buildings that I have noticed seem to be run down, abandoned, and I saw many that must have caught on fire at one point. It’s nice that we get to see the country side, where if we were to take a plane or drive on an interstate we may not have gotten the same experience. 

 

Inner Journey

I have been so excited about this trip, talking with the girls, preparing for it, and now that it’s finally here! Meeting up with Brynna, Lindsey, and Rachel made it even more exciting – we were all really giddy and happy to get on our journey. We’ve had a lot of laughs and it’s only the beginning! It felt like the day was dragging on but looking back now it happened so fast, I just was antsy to get on train and start going. I did talk to one of the employees of the train station, I think he was the security guard, and he asked about our class and what we were going to school for. He thought it was so cool that we get to have this experience and it made me feel really fortunate that I get to be here on this. It’s a once in a life time experience that I will always remember! Sleeping on the train made me miss my bed and looking forward to a cot as a bed for the week. Walking through the train has been such a challenge, even going to the bathroom, and I really can’t wait to be able to brush my teeth! I like being able to sit in the front of the cars that look out to the sides of the train, you really get to see everything. Seeing the run down country side, it’s nothing that I’ve really seen before and really surprised me. This all has made me really appreciative and fortunate for what I have, the opportunities that are available to me, and the conditions I live in.