There is not a lot for me to do to prepare for this trip or any for that matter. I spent many, many years in the Army ready for and going on deployment. I basically live in a state of “go”, even now. I could literally move out of my apartment in 4 hours. Even less if I pushed more. I will pack the morning of travel. My bags are ready, toss in shoes, clothes, and hygiene items….gone. If I was going overseas I would do some research but staying local I’m good. The only thing that is different now versus my “normal” is that I have a cat. So, I had to have my sister and niece over to show them everything that needs to be done while she comes over and looks after the cat. Bam! Problem solved onto the next. I don’t have to buy anything for the trip or the train. Like I said, I live in a constant state of be ready for deployment. I really haven’t done any prep for the class other than take care of things as they arise. I have traveled so much over so many years that a simple trip to another state really does not even make a blip on the radar.

            I don’t honestly know what this trip will be like. My travels usually involved being heavily armed and going to cause destruction and death among other mission requirements. This will be with other college students. I have said I can be a nerd when traveling because I want to see the history etc. I never think about the nightlife or drinking or partying, that means nothing to me. I could lose myself in an old cemetery in NOLA, looking at the dates and imagining their lives. I have not had a vacation in over 5 years so this will feel weird to me. I normally go, go, go. I do want to learn as much as I can about the past of NOLA along with the vast cultural differences that make this city up. I cannot forget the art! I want to see as much as I can, whether it be museums or street art. The one thing I am really fiending for is the food, especially the seafood. I have a bad feeling that my normally strict diet is going to suffer. I can let it go this one time, right?

Alright, I do not care for cities at all. To me they are filthy and full of crime and despair wrapped up in a can. I need air, trees and space. The bad people seem to mightily outweigh the good in them. However, I do love the history associated with older large cities such as Rome and Istanbul. Paris, is a dirty city, they really doctor those images up on TV. The catacombs is a place I could wander for days though. Again, my impression of NOLA is not good. I had many friends in the Army who were there after Katrina and the stories they have of the locals is enough to make me never want to go, ever. I can put all this aside though and go and learn and have new experiences there. I do look forward to the food. I want real Jumbalaya, you can only get it there. You cannot get New York style pizza in LA, and I won't find real Jumbalaya here. I am the typical nerd, when I go to a new place I want to see the museums, shops, old city and local food. What can I find there that is not what I have here? When I go to the Bahamas, I go to scuba dive not swim in the hotel pool! I also want to see the local art! Again, something we really do not have locally. Being a port city also comes with a plethora of history from before we were one country. I am able to put aside all pre-conceived notions and ideas to make this a good learning experience and change my impressions of it.