Mini-update

This is Nikki from 1234 Carondelet (blue house with gas lamps, riverside). Billy went in yesterday and assessed the damage to our property. Friends who drove by our house said that it looked as though it was in great shape, so we were optimistic. Sadly, the news was not so good. When Billy went upstairs, there was brilliant sunshine streaming through our roof into our rooms. The ceiling had fallen in most rooms, both sides. He slipped around on our roof, putting whatever plastic and tarping he had taken into the city with him. Of course, we are very lucky and well, we fixed it once, we'll do it again. B thinks that our house got the worst of it. More good news: the tree behind our home fell away from our house. Yea.

Another unfortunate discovery -or rather, lack of discovery: our jeep was stolen from the Canal Place Parking lot. Well, I hope someone got out safely...that's ok with me. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a little news story about the person who returned the jeep they had to hotwire out of the city in order to survive? The owners glad it was put to good use, but so glad to have it back? We took our stalling, coughing Volvo because it has AC, while the jeep does not and we figured we'd be stuck in traffic with our friend Mikey, two dogs and a cat SO....

Enough of that. Billy cruised the neighborhood and indeed, the Lisa house looks rough, windows have sort of fallen out (it looks like someone went in, though I cannot tell from the pictures, really. The house still stands straight. Pictures: Billy took a few, though not many as he was with someone who needed to get to the Bywater. We have to get a chord that will allow us to upload pictures from the camera, so it will be awhile before we can post these, sorry. The facade of FSRP is standing perfectly, Billy does not remember if the teal house (sure was a nice paint job, though, wasn't it) fell on it.

The army has taken over 1205 St. Charles as headquarters. B said that as the sun rose over the city, he watched from our roof as they all streamed from the place, looking into mirrors, shaving, etc. in the morning light.

Billy said that Bob and Nancy's roof looked to be in good shape, he made no comment about others on the block...he will post additional detaild when he has taken care of missed business.

Ms. Betty's family appears to have left.

So there you have it, another experience. For those of you who want to go in, Billy and the Bywater man snuck in before dawn. He talked to a few reserve people. They were very nice. Though the evacuation is mandatory, it is not forced, so if you are in the city, they cannot make you leave. B told checkpoints that he was on official business (law things). My other friend who went in said she was there to rescue pets. If you are not joy riding, they leave you be.

Thanks for the continued posting and I agree with J -we are woefully unaquainted. We will open our yard (it's pretty open, now) and have a big ol' party when we return.

By the way, one of the things that the guardsmen are doing is weeping up the mess on the streets, so we have neat little piles of branches and leaves on our block. Surreal, really.