Hola from NOLA

Howdy,

NOLA = New Orleans, Louisiana

I don't actually have much to say, but I figured I'd fill you in thus far...

Got to New Orleans without issue. Met some other students in a restaurant. Got to the hostel.

Ok, I'm already off to a bad start with this blog. It's just really boring to repeat everything I've done, I guess because nothing super interesting has happened yet. I mean, I've met some amazing people in my group and New Orleans is spectacular, seriously, it's beautiful and amazing. I'm still feeling out the group at this point - 10 boys and 23 girls - figuring out who I connect with and everything. But it's only day 2, so it's hard to tell at this point. But there are at least couple of people who I see myself getting close with, which is good, and everyone is nice (cue MTV narrator).

We've been doing a lot of orientation stuff. And by a lot I mean yesterday we went from 2pm - 9:30pm and today we went from 9am - 8pm. We get a couple breaks for lunch or whatever. The orientations are in a very well-airconditioned building. I wish they would open a window to let some heat in, which is a statement nobody should ever make if you ask me. So cold... so cold.

Had a po' boy, which is a sandwich that was originally created to be a "poor boy's" sandwich, so it has just bread, shredded lettuce, tomato, sauce, and for the meat I ordered fried shrimp. Our country leader made the joke that po' boys are actually expensive. She was right - it cost me $10.30. I also had some beignet, like, fried dough with powdered sugar. I know you're thinking funnel cake. It is not funnel cake. Imagine like an egg roll shaped deep fried dough rectangle. Photographic evidence of these experiences below:

Po' Boy and Beignet

I know, you are all shocked that I actually took a picture. Well I'm trying to actually do that this time around. Gonna need a few reminders, though. 

So, to be honest with you, I don't actually know how often or how much I will be posting for this blog. I doubt it will die off altogether, but I've never blogged while at school and this is technically school. I'm going to be really busy with readings, classes, excursions, hanging out with the group, host families,  adventures... so, you would think this would be the great makings of a blog, right? But I would rather have the experiences and write about them briefly than write extensively about my own thoughts and ponderings which is what I usually do. So, I just want to tell you that the posts might be short or infrequent now before we get in too deep. Maybe the pictures will make up for that? 

Been walking around a lot. One pair of shoes ruined my feet and another pair sort of drowned in the rain. Trying to resuscitate them. 

Okay, well I really don't have a whole lot more to say other than we went to Bourbon Street this evening which was super awesome. (I know, I am so descriptive!) Imagine Las Vegas only much more concentrated and not as much gambling. And without giant fountains and pyramids. Okay, maybe don't imagine Las Vegas at all. There were tons of bars, like, almost every building was a bar, and strip clubs and half naked ladies looking at us cunningly (don't worry, I resisted) and pizza and I don't know it just had a totally different vibe than the rest of the surrounding area. Well, it is there mostly for tourists, so I've heard. The rest of the city that I've seen so far seems very welcoming, and the houses are adorable (please be aware that I do not use the word "adorable" lightly). And I took a trolley today! Cable car? Street car? Not sure what they're called, I think it's street car. 

Also, this is something that I've always known, but since you're here to read about my ponderings, I'll tell you that my way of being social doesn't really jive with the rest of my peers' way of being social. Example:

*Walking with a group, on our way to a cafe* 

Person: Hey Emily, what's up?

Me: Oh, just taking a stroll, going to get some food. 

Person: Yeah... us too. 

Me: Look at that firetruck, it's nice. 

Person: Yeah...

Me: Did you know it's illegal to turn around in a fire station driveway? 

Person: No, but that makes sense. 

Me: I just learned that, too. 

Well, the conversation kinda died after that. Not sure if I should figure out how to be a better conversationalist or if I should talk to people who are don't mind me pointing out the obvious. 

That's enough ponderings for now. Oh, I hear some people wishing a girl happy birthday, because it is exactly 2 minutes into August 20th, and that's her birthday. That also means it's 2 minutes past midnight so I'm going to bed soon. Just wanted to let you know that I am here, I am safe, I am sometimes toasty warm and sometimes freezing, and I have bandaids on my feet. And I met some pretty cool folks who I'll be traveling with for the next 4 months. 

Off to have some sleep,

....

I really don't want to use that cheesy line I came up with last time. So...

No tagline for now,

Emily