New Orleans

Hi gang. My man is taking me to New Orleans tomorrow! He moved here from New Orleans 5 years ago and still has a bunch of family there (whom I get to meet for the first time...wish me luck)!.

I've never been before and am exited to experience the Cajun flavor (minus the seafood, unfortunately), walk the streets of the French Quarter, stroll down Bourbon and through the cemetaries, and of course take lots of pictures! I'm cleaning my memory card tonight and expect to relish in the aging buildings and vibrant colors of New Orleans.

In the meantime I've been thinking a lot about the oil spill/gush and the consequences to the ocean ecosystem as well as the culture and tourism of places like New Orleans. I'd like to do something to help out while I'm down there, but I'm also a little scared to see the damage. I think this trip will mostly be one focused on seeing friends and family more than anything, so I don't know if we'll even have time to make it to where the clean-up efforts are taking place. Nonetheless, I've decided that when I return I'm going to donate some of my photographs to this wonderful effort taking place on Etsy.

Help The Gulf Coast is a collaboration of Etsy sellers donating 100% of their proceeds to clean up efforts. Great idea, isn't it? They've already had 270 sales in just over a week! Great work! (Click on the images to be taken to that item in the shop).