Interestingly enough, I was engaged in a conversation with friends and an ecologist who recently moved to the DC metro area within the last year.
We were at a party on Sunday celebrating the return of a mutual friend who volunteered in Louisiana and Mississippi to resolve the telecommunications problems resulting from the Katrina devastation. Our mutual friend works for a federal government agency that allowed her to donate her time (about 2 months worth) to aid in the redevelopment of the telecommunications infrastructure in the Gulf Basin area. Be mindful that she worked in the most primitive environments.
We'll talk about K__'s adventures later.
Back to my conversation with L___, the ecologist.
As a new DC settler, he brought up in our discussion that the DC area as a backward city in some aspects. I did not take any offense, and I don't disagree with him on some points. Some initial examples came to mind were traffic, service, government waste, and transportation.
In his capacity as an ecologist, he has traveled extensively around the globe. Further, he said that DC was a sleeper city. Hmmmm. I have traveled to more sleepy cities compared to Washington. In his comparison, he summed it up well, "DC has Northern hospitality with Southern efficiency."
I did snicker at the comment. I allowed that statement to soak in my mind.
I admit, as a loyal DC citizen, I care about this town a lot. More than I thought. After living in the DC metro area over 12 years, the cityscape has grown on me.
People may not be very friendly. They are diligently loyal to folks who have lived here for a long time. DC residency can be transient when political terms roll over, especially when the new presidential reign overturns every 4 years.
At the party, there was a photo presentation of K and others working alongside to fix and repair the phone network problems down there. Some pictures were amazing. The views of the disaster remain astonishing. Pictures showed a car at the bottom of an empty swimming pool and the disappearance of buildings where empty lots now pervade in the background. The roads were riddled with massive debris. What is so sad about the situation is that there remains to be so much work to be completed.
Her experiences included staying with the Army Corp of Engineers and battling the humid weather and smashing annoying flies. Jokingly, K__ mentioned that she and her colleagues encountered numerous tire flats because the roads were not cleaned up or maintained. So many nails and glass shards were among the refuse.
She talked about how the local people were extremely appreciative overall of her and those who have sacrificed their time to re-construct their homes and lives. She signed up to work as a FEMA volunteer. Office staff had warned her about wearing her FEMA gear, but she felt compelled to wear her cap to show that FEMA was actually there to help. She didn't receive any backlash from locals.
Those are just a few stories mentioned.
I can only imagine what the survivors are dealing with at this moment during the Christmas season.
I tip my hat to K__ and the other volunteers, whether they represent a church, government, NGO, or university --- FEMA, Red Cross, military. Thanks for your effort, input, and experience. I pray that the Katrina disaster will soon be just a memory for everyone.
In DC jargon, thanks y'all for representin' DC down South!
Today's verse: Judges 5:9 [New International Version (NIV)]
with the willing volunteers among the people.
Praise the LORD!
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