Today was our first offical day in New Orleans and already I’m suprised. Things look bad but not as bad as I predicted at least not yet. We still have more days to go and I’m sure we’ll see worse. In many ways New Orleans looks like Baltimore to me. Back home there are rund down houses and debris every where and there hasn’t been a hurrincane there. And the people are really friendly and approachable. Similar to Baltimore. And similar to the South. Already I’m feeling that Southern hospitality you can’t find anywhere up north. New Orleans seems to me is a place with a hopeful spirit. One of the directors at PNOLA said she was born and raised in New Orleans and that she planed to stay here the rest of her life. And the house we worked on was for two eldery women who were rebuilding and staying in New Orleans. Just in these two examples alone I see a pride in the people of New Orleans that will allow them to continue to survive despite the many adversities they face. There stories make me think that if the same thing a s Katrina happened in Baltimore I know without a doubt I would rebuild.