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Sabrina Heise

Editorial Assistant

True confessions: * Not as politically aware as I should be. * I bite my nails. * I didn't love the Sex and the City movie. * I am actually, really addicted to sugar and should probably be in a 12-step program. * By addicted, I mean, I lash out at people and get grumpy when I haven't had my sug...

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Day 3

What a day it’s been! We left Mobile, AL and headed out to meet Andie, Program Director at Camp Sister Spirit. She was so filled with knowledge of her community, the South, and very importantly, the South after Hurricane Katrina. While Andie’s parents did not openly discuss their beliefs with the public, Andie gave us a little view into her life as a pagan. She spoke about communing with nature--which she gets plenty of chances to do, as she lives on 140 acres of land; she also spoke about the misconceptions people have had about her beliefs. She shared her intentions for Camp Sister Spirit. She provides a safe space for people to come to learn about each other, whether by inviting people of diverse religions and cultures to gather for a weekend retreat, or collecting food for those whose lives have been broken by Hurricane Katrina, or Hurricane Kali, as Andie likes to call it.

She had such a peaceful space and she cares so much about every living thing that surrounds her. Her land houses dogs who now have a home, thanks to her; a pig, goats, trees, herb and produce gardens, and more. She cares about the environment, her neighbors, and even those she’s never met. She feels it is her goal as a human, to help anyone who she knows needs it. She is an inspiration.

After that, we moved onwards to New Orleans. After unpacking, we walked along Bourbon St. before dinner. NOT FOR ME. However, after dinner, Margaret’s friend Devin showed us the real New Orleans, and I will be greatful to him forever for that.

He took us to Frenchmen St. where every other building hosts music and bands play in the street. There was such a sense of community all along the street--people pulled out chairs and sat on the sidewalks to enjoy the music, while they socialized with friends and strangers alike. It was somewhat like an impromptu block party at 11pm. I heard Vavavoom, this incredible gypsy jazz band, play and suddenly I wanted to live in New Orleans. There is such a unique energy in NOLA that I’ve never felt anywhere else. They are rich with pain, but also with history, and they are bursting from the seams with song. They couldn’t contain the music if they tried.

Later on, we headed to Vaughan’s to see the great Kermit Ruffins. We ate red beans and rice and danced until we were soaked with sweat. A fantastic way to begin our time in New Orleans.