Day 4!

Today was a huge day for the team, and it started bright (yes, the sun finally came out!) and early as the team ate breakfast, showered, and prepared to leave HONO at 7:30 for our last day at the Habitat site, which included our first performance of the week (but more on that in a bit).

Upon arrival at the site, we were informed that we had to redo a few of the cinderblock stacks that we had built up yesterday, a revelation that might seem discouraging were it not for the amazing energy that the team brought forth to breaking down and building up the concrete (I had particular fun in chipping away the old mortar - a great way to let out excess tension!).

After a couple hours of working, we began to prepare for our afternoon performance - preparation which included setting up instruments in the van, dancing in the street, and rehearsing poetry in the grass near the site.

After lunch and some more cement mixing, it was time to get to our performance venue (an empty grass lot across the street from our site). The performance was well attended by a group of other college-age Habitat volunteers, as well as Habitat site supervisors and people from the nearby neighborhood. The energy was so amazing to witness - since we were outside, there was no piano (and thus instead of playing I worked the "backstage" duties of keeping the program running smoothly), but I was so moved by the amazing talent on display by my peers. The team's dancers, actors, and musicians all worked together beautifully, and with very little rehearsal time pulled together a great show.

Our rousing rendition of this year's group song, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"!

But after the show we weren't done working yet - there was still concrete to be poured, so we returned to our site and finished the project that three days ago seemed daunting. Needless to say, our dinner from Cafe Pontalba by the Mississippi River was very satisfying.

Oh, and during the day some of the team (including myself) was interviewed by a journalist from the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and put together a wonderful article (with some epic pictures) that you can check out by clicking right HERE.

It's hard to believe we're halfway through the week, but after today I know that there is so much more excitement and inspiration to be had in these next few days. For now I'm off to go explore the French Quarter with the team!

-Robert