Hop, skip & a jump to Texas.
After so much activity and stops in the NE and North Carolina, we felt the need to slow down. There’s a limited amount of new experiences introverts can squeeze into their brain and bodies before a recharge is necessary- and our batteries were low. As such, our time in Louisiana and Texas was filled with family, food and friends rather than adventure. The change of pace was a welcome reprieve.
Our time in the Highlands of North Carolina come to an end. We said heartfelt goodbyes to David and Kwiyoung from Cabin at the Three Ponds, and headed west to Louisiana. Since Rene spent some formidable childhood years in New Orleans a stop to spend time with family was necessary. We were graciously hosted by his cousin Juan, wife Alison and their two sons. As we had only spent time with them at family events and attended their wedding in 2013 it was a treat to have regular boring days during this time. And of course Queso collected hearts along the way. Juan and Alison live between the East Riverside and Irish Channel which is west of the well known French Quarter. What is originally called Bulbancha, place of many tongues, continues to morph and develop. This area is rapidly changing, becoming more glossy and homogenized with sleek nail bars and other shops that cater to it’s new residents.
We had many family visits on the other side of the river including driving out to Jean Lafitte on the Bayou. This is literally where the roads end and where we went to visit another Uncle and Aunt of Rene. Just a few weeks prior hurricane Ida passed through the area. The devastation and aftermath was very present. Houses resting at an angle, heaps of drying mud everywhere, yards that were transformed to cracking mudflats and homes that had recently been raised even higher in hopes of avoiding flooding when the next storm comes through. Rene’s relatives were in the same situation, still digging out mud from the drainage ditch and waiting on the arrival of new appliances since their home had flooded (a remodel of the kitchen and living room had already taken place). It was a somber experience, and frivolously snapping photos just didn’t feel right. While the levees in NOLA are holding for now, it’s impossible not to notice an acceleration in the quantity and velocity of the storms in the area. And like other disasters those who are most vulnerable seems to suffer the most. Changes in how big industry does business and it’s relationship with natural resources are necessary to shift the trajectory of the storm.
From New Orleans we made a quick stop in Houston to hug a friend and then continued to Austin where we spent close to two weeks just living as close to a normal life as possible. Our friend Pooja was gracious enough to put us up and in turn, we cooked. We cooked meals and Friendsgiving dinner, enjoyed some amazing meals and strolled the parks.
While there Rene caught up with old friends, we made some new clay friends and soaked up the sunshine.
Our next stop was another family affair, El Paso. Rene, his mother and siblings move there in his early teens. He stayed through high school and the beginning of college until he transferred on scholarship to St. Olaf at the age of 22. It was wonderful to spend some slow time with family as usually get togethers revolve around specials events and have large numbers gathered. We stayed with one of Rene’s sisters, Silvia and were had the pleasure of seeing his mother every day. The leisurely pace was welcome and allowed for looking through photo albums, home cooked chili Colorado, and we got our booster shots! (more on who, what where in the caption of each photo.)
Lots of hugs, smiles and full bellies all around.
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