Elective Post: Train Ride Home

The train ride home was interesting at first since there was a mix up with the seating but after that I think it was ok. I liked the discussion we had in the observation car because we got it discuss what worked and didn't work on the trip. I did not talk very much because I agreed with what everyone was saying. I think the schedule for the trip should be changed if possible and I think a Katrina tour would have been nice also. I know may people want to keep many of the tours that went along with nursing since we are nursing students and I think so as well but I also think if it is not a nursing class then I am ok not having everything geared toward nursing. I like to learn what is taught in the gen ed classes but now I feel like they are changing them to make everything have nursing information in them. I would like this trip to focus on everything that we focused on during the trip such as music, architecture, culture, food, etc. I slept well on the train and we arrived safely so this trip was a success in my eyes.

Elective Post: Overall Impression of NOLA

I really enjoyed New Orleans, I loved the City. The French Quarter was everything I expected and more. My first thought about the city was how amazing the architecture was. Then learning the history of the architecture was awesome because at first I thought it had a French influence then come to find out due to the fire the Spanish rebuilt everything thing so the architecture comes from the Spanish. The city to me felt very French which is my favorite aspect of the city. Many of the restaurants had French names, and some of the words or saying come from the French language. I also liked the culture of the people and how open everyone was and non judgmental. You can be who you want and it is embraced there which I know I mentioned this in another post but this is what I loved most about the city. I loved the music playing on the street I could have sat and listened for hours, I played the clarinet in high school so listening to the clarinetist and watching them play was amazing. New Orleans is so different then other cities I have been to but one thing that it has in common is the amount of homeless people on the street. Just like other big cities you see a lot of homeless on the street. It makes me so sad to see these people who have nothing and every time I see someone who is homeless I always wonder what their life was like prior to them being homeless and what got them to this point. I just wanted to speak on that since it is something I experienced everyday in New Orleans. The food was great, everything I ate was excellent. I tried some of the Creole and Cajun cuisine a few times but I did not try everything I could have. My favorite food that I tried was the gumbo we had on the cuisine tour. New Orleans was very fun and such a great learning experience, I hope to return with family and friends soon.  

Goodbye New Orleans

The French Market was my favorite place in to go in New Orleans. The reason I like the French Market is because I like to shop and see the people and I love handmade items, which a lot of the stuff there is handmade. I just really like the atmosphere and the different people who come and shop there. I would like to come back to New Orleans with family or friends because I really enjoyed the city and I would take them to the French Market because I know they would like it. There is also food stands, which I got something to eat or drink from three different stands and the food was very good. I know my family and friends would enjoy the French market for the same reasons I did. I would describe the French market as an outdoor craft show but better. I do plan on coming back to New Orleans with my father sometime in the future because he is a huge history buff and he would love New Orleans and all the tours we went on.  My Favorite Part of the class was learning about the culture and history or New Orleans. I liked learning about the culture and history of the city is because it really explains why the city is the way it is and the people. My favorite part of the trip was the pharmacy museum. The reason I liked the pharmacy museum the best was because we learned about 20th century healthcare and the changes that have been made throughout the years. The tour guide was hilarious, I had a great time on this tour. I liked that he talked about the voodoo priestess because voodoo seems to be a big part of the culture in New Orleans so it was nice to learn what it actually was. What I learned about the people in New Orleans is that they are so accepting and non judgmental. They also appreciate the talent of the people because everyone gathers around musicians and listens to the music and applauds when they are done and I just think they appreciate the different talent in the city. Also it seems like you can be anyone you wanna be in New Orleans and you can follow your dreams like you can play music, you can be an artist, etc and its not all about being famous but its about doing what you love to do. That is also what I learned about myself is you don't have to be the best as long as you are doing what you love then that's all that matters. Its also a plus if people get enjoyment from it. 

Cabildo & Presbytere

The Presbytere was very sad but it was nice to learn more about Katrina and what really happened when this disaster happened. For a long time I only knew about Hurricane Katrina from what I heard from the media. Much more happened and went on then what people really know because the media only covered what they wanted to cover. After visiting the Presbytere I learned about the different responses from the people affect. The media covered a lot of the rioting and fires that happened during that time and even though that did go on there was an overwhelming majority of people helping each other and just trying to survive. There was a short film in the Presbytere called Ordinary Hero's, and I did not get a chance to watch it but I heard the video featured people who helped out others during the disaster. In the video there was a many who actually helped a woman deliver her baby. There was also a video on first responders and health care providers that I actually got to watch and the health care providers were amazing during this time. The health care providers went above and beyond during Katrina and one patient in the video made a statement about the nurses and how thankful he was for them and it almost made me cry. New Orleans was in shock when this happened and they city did not have the help they should have had from the national government. The stories of Katrina were very touching and sad. The saddest part to me was the lack of attention from the national government. It seemed like there was no immediate response and I am sure there was more that could have been done for them. The stories were also touching because the people all worked together and the courageous acts of the people touched me.

The Cabildo was also a very interesting museum and I felt like I already knew some of the information in the museum because of all the tours we went on. It was actually a good feeling already knowing some of the information in the museum and also learning more of what I already knew. In my opinion the most interesting story the Cabildo told was the story of the first families of Louisiana. I thought the French were the first settlers in Louisiana but actually many Indian groups already lived in Louisiana when the French settled in 1699. I thought this was interesting because from everything we learned on the tours I was under the impression that the French were the first people but in fact the Indians were already here. The Cabildo was very interesting and taught me a lot about the history of New Orleans.

Elective Post: Free Day

During the free day I went shopping in the French Quarter and the Outlet mall by the hotel. Many of the store I went into were on Royal street and also Decatur. There was live music being played on Royal street all day, and I saw people dressed up in different costumes. One person was dressed as a transformer which I thought was very funny. People wear performing magic shows in the streets, palm readers, etc. I think what makes New Orleans so different from other cities in America is the culture of the people, such as people can wear transformer suits and no one would think twice about it. The people in New Orleans to me are what make it such as interesting city because if it wasn't for the people then it would just be a historic town with old buildings and lots of history. My favorite part of New Orleans was the people, I loved all the artist and the musicians. During the free day we went to a restaurant in the French Quarter, I forgot the name, and I ordered the gumbo which came with French bread on the side. This Gumbo was very different then the one we had on the Cuisine tour, I thought the one we ate on the tour was better. I had a great free day and I loved being in the quarter and experiencing the city and the people.

Elective Post: Cuisine Tour

The Cuisine Tour was one of my favorite tours in New Orleans. I enjoyed the cuisine tour because we go to taste and learn about the famous food served in New Orleans. Since this city is widely known for its cuisine it was nice to learn and taste the different foods that have influenced American cuisine. New Orleans is a melting pot of different cultures such as French, Spanish, Italian, Caribbean, German, and African. Each culture has had an influence on New Orleans cuisine. The food was very good, I tried everything besides the red beans and rice because I do not like beans. My top two favorite dishes from the tour were The gumbo and the gelato. The gumbo had great flavor, the broth was very good, and everything was cooked perfectly. The gelato was also vey good and not extremely sweet, it was perfect for a desert. One dish I tried that I did not like was the cannoli. I did not like the cream in the cannoli and I did not seem like a treat to me. Besides that the food was very good and I am glad we got to taste some of the famous food from New Orleans.

Excursion

Both museums were a learning experience for me. I could not believe how much I learned today about not only Louisiana's history but American History. During the Hansen's disease museum tour I learned a lot not only about Hansens disease but about the patient population, their feelings, their living situations etc. I thought the artifacts in the museum were interesting to learn about such as the wheel chair with the hand cranks and the money. The Museum seemed like a small isolated town instead of a hospital to make people better. It was interesting to me that some of the patients changed their name to protect their families. It was also amazing to me that some patients have just left a few months ago. The tour of the rest of the facility was interesting because we got to see where the patients stayed and some of the activities that were provided for them. The next tour we went on was the Whitney Plantation Tour which was one of my favorite tours since we have been in New Orleans. I really enjoyed this tour because I learned a lot about American history from the view points of the slaves. The Whitney Plantation does a great job of keeping the tour from the enslaved point of view and what it was like to be a slave on that plantation. It was a very touching tour and hard to hear and see some of the parts of the tour. Both Museums mad me sad because of how isolated the patients were and how mistreated the slaves were. 

Elective Post: Ghost Tour

The ghost tour was awesome. I loved hearing the haunted stories about real people who lived in the French Quarter. It was very interesting how each person who died still haunts the place where they died. Each haunting is very particular to the person and how they died. For example the women who loved to dance is hear seen dancing and the man who lost his house gambling and died still haunts the house because he cannot let it go. Honestly I do not believe in ghost but I like ghost stories. I think the ghost tour fit into New Orleans culture because they have had many epidemics and tragedies in the city therefore the dead are a big part of their culture. My favorite part of the ghost tour was seeing Madame Lalauries house. I watch the television series American Horror Story therefore I could compared the true story of Madame LaLaurie and the character from AHS. The tour guide was very amazing, she was a creole woman who was very intelligent and interested in the information she was giving us.

Picture retrieved from Google



Madame LaLaurie from AHS














Picture retrieved from Google                                   Madame LaLaurie portrait

 
Picture from my IPhone



 Madame LaLauries house from ghost tour

Local Artist

The piece I chose was painted by Mathew Peck. Pecks style came after Hurricane Katrina when he was evacuated out of New Orleans and lived with his father. While living with his father Peck would finger paint on a the computer screen. When he moved back to New Orleans he kept this method when working on new art pieces. Many of Peck's pieces leave the viewer with the wonder and mystique of New Orleans which is what attracted me to the piece I chose. I like for art to be mysterious and everyone can get something different from it. I do not like straight forward pieces like a fruit bowl or flowers because to me that's all it is, I like for art to make me think and guess what is going on in the piece. I like Peck's work because it shows New Orleans in a different way and each viewer can get something different out of the work. It also leaves me with questioning the artist intentions of the piece and the meaning of the piece. This particular piece I chose is unique because of the choice of color. The entire piece is black and white but the shutters are red. Once again it leaves me questioning the artist intentions for the color choice or why only color the shutters. There is also a man in the window of the painting which again makes me question, is someone looking in or is it just a man in a window? I like the ambiguity of this piece and the story each viewer can get from it.

Pic from my IPhone

 
 

Music, Treme, & Pharmacy Museum

Since being in New Orleans I have heard a lot of jazz, at least that is what I believe it is, being played on the streets or in businesses. Musicians are usually playing a brass instrument or guitar. New Orleans is said to be the birthplace of jazz and really all music I believe. On the music tour, he talked about jazz, and rock and roll originating in New Orleans. Music is so important in New Orleans because it is a huge part of their history and culture and has shaped American music since what we hear today started in Congo Square with the slaves. How the city spoke to me through its music is music is apart of our history and our culture and we can learn so much by listening to different music. What I found most interesting about Treme is that it is the oldest African American neighbor hood and the many famous musician who have played there. My favorite part of the Pharmaceutical museum was everything. I really enjoyed this tour most so far and the information was very enjoyable to listen to. I really enjoyed hearing the change of practices throughout time, such as the change in how syringes were made, and the change in how pills were made. I also enjoyed the tour guides sarcasm about everything. When he was explaining how medical profession became accredited back then it was very funny. It was also very interesting learning about the voodoo medicine and how people back then did not want anyone to know they were buying it. I really enjoyed this tour and thought it was very informative.

  

History, Architecture, Religion, and Cuisine

Today we learned a lot about the city and its history. During the cemetery tour we learned about the lived of the different people who have passed away, and during the cuisine tour we learned about the different cuisine and the culture that influenced the different foods. How the city spoke to me today was the importance of family because both tours talked about families and generations of families. In the cemetery tour the tour guide said people families members are buried together and families take care of their tombstone and how people from multiple generations come and visit their ancestors tombstones. In the cuisine tour the restaurants that we visited we owned by families and have been in the same family for generations. I think it is amazing how the families stay so close and businesses stay in the family for a long time. I do not even know who my great grandparent are on my mothers side of the family. I think the culture in New Orleans is fascinating and how close families are. My preconceptions of New Orleans are for the most part correct which is really weird because I pictured New Orleans to be haunted, and spooky, I have always tied voodoo magic with New Orleans so it was interesting learning the history of voodoo and what it actually is.

 

                                                                                                              

Arrival

When arriving in New Orleans I did not think it was what I expected it to be. Then when we got to the French Quarter, It felt like New Orleans. I was in love with the French Quarter and the first thing that caught my attention was the architecture. The buildings were awesome and so different then any other city I have been to. I love the French Quarter because of the French influence. I took French in high school and have always been fascinated with the French culture; New Orleans felt like a mini France almost because a lot of the businesses have French inspired names and begin with le, or la. I feel like every other city is into modern and new age architecture or almost futurist in some places, and New Orleans look very old and historic. I like the street cars in New Orleans they are just different then what I am used to. Original Pierre Maspero's was great. I loved the food I thought it was good and everyone's plate looked amazing. I did not step out of my comfort zone, I ordered the shrimp platter that came with fried shrimp, fries, French bread, and hush puppies. I did try some food off Carries plate which was the shrimp and grits. I thought that dish was phenomenal. The ghost tour was very interesting I enjoyed it. I loved hearing the stories of the houses or businesses where people have died but their spirit remains in the house. I don't believe in ghost personally but I loved hearing the stories. My favorite part of the ghost tour was hearing about Madame Lalaurie because I am a fan of American Horror story so I loved hearing how the show tied into real life. My first night in New Orleans was Amazing the city is very interesting and I cannot wait to learn more.

All photos taken from my IPhone

French Quarter

Street Car 

 Jackson Square

Original Pierre Maspero's

Madame LaLaurie's House

Departure

Since I arrived at the school on the 14th I felt my adventure started then. The drive to the Peoria bus station was fine. Waiting at the Peoria bus station was not my cup of tea because dome people in Peoria are just rude and I do not like being in Peoria as it is. The bus ride to Champaign was horrible because it was so cold. Once arriving at the Amtrak station it was quiet which I expected because it was late at night. The people on the Amtrak station were pleasant and kept to themselves. Once  entering the train I immediately got comfortable and went to sleep. When I woke up remember being in Memphis. once the sun started out I stared observing the outside which I saw corn fields, trees, grass, and small bodies of water. I also saw some houses and churches.

Preparation

I have not yet packed for the trip, I plan to have everything packed and ready Sunday night. I plan to pack 8 outfits, two pairs of shoes, an umbrella due to the recent announcement, and all the travel size toiletries. For the class I will have a backpack with my laptop, a small binder or folder and writing utensils. I have also printed off the readings for the class as well. I have worked many hours for spending money on the trip and preparation for he trip. I plan on bringing some food on the train so I do not have to eat much of the food that the train provides. I have started research for the travel guide project but not much else besides that. I believe I am ready to go and have a great learning experience.

Course Expectations

I think the course will consist of a lot of writing and reflection of different topics. I think there will be many class discussions about different topics as well. I think the trip will be very educational and enjoyable, I think we will learn a lot about New Orleans and how the city speaks through its culture, I think we will also learn how a city in general speaks through its culture. I took this course because of the instructor and I know I will learn from Karn. Also I have always wanted to visit New Orleans because I have heard great things about the city and I think New Orleans is going to be different then most cities in America. I would like to learn how New Orleans differs from other cities in America and I would also like to learn where the city gets its culture from. I am most looking forward to seeing the structure of the city and observing the people because I would like to compare it to other big cities I have been to such as Chicago or Detroit. I am also looking forward to eating the food because again I have heard good things about the food and I believe it will be a cuisine I will enjoy.

Urban Expectations

When I think of urban settings or big cities I picture tall buildings, lots of traffic, taxis, and lots of people walking, or biking. the bigger the city the more populated, or crowded everything is it seems. The people in cities seem to be in a rush, always on the go. There are also many forms of transportation in urban settings such as walking, biking, driving, catching a taxi, subway, bus, etc. I picture New Orleans how it is portrayed in movies or TV shows or what people have told me who have been there already. I expect the food and music to be a big part of the culture because everyone who has told me about their experience in New Orleans mentions the food and how great it is or how different it is. Many people mention the music as well. I get my assumptions about New Orleans from movies or TV shows I have watched which are set in New Orleans and from people who have visited New Orleans and told me about their experiences.