Welcome to the Austin Kos Live Blog of the New Orleans Survivors Gunbo and Jambalaya Friday Evening Gathering from Othniel’s Digs.
About Twenty Folk who recently relocated to the Austin Convention Center from New Orleans are gathered with the Austin Kos group for Gumbo and Jambalaya prepared by Karry, a chef at Pascal Manales restaurant in New Orleans. He started cooking yesterday so that we could enjoy this feast tonight, complete with pound cake for dessert.
We’re going to take turns saying a few words…
When invited to comment, Karry said, “Nawwwww.”
I’m Jan. I just ate some great cooking! You shoulda been here!
Roderick (9 years old) says:
how are y’all doing?
My name is Lawrence. I’m 18 years old, and I had fun at the Gumbo Bash.
well I’m Karyn and it has been a pleasure to be invited to such a shin dig!If the people here at this small gathering of friends represent the great state of Texas then it’s as awesome as I imagined it would be.
Orlando, who is 17 years old, says “I want to play in the NFL!”
My name is Angie I am grateful for the gumbo and jambalaya and the kindness of all the People in Austin Texas I really miss home but I am grateful that I am here with my family
Edwima says just be thankful and grateful.
Veronica (78) says, “I want to thank all of you people for being so nice, and it’s so truly appreciated. I haven’t laughed or smiled in a couple of weeks as I have here tonight. I had a wish for gumbo and it came true! It was delicious! And so was the jambalaya.”
Troy says, “Like the tree in front of my house in New Orleans, I bent but I didn’t break. And I’m being propped up by the people of Austin. And I will bear fruit again.”
Ari says, “The city of Austin is so nice out here. I give my blessing to them for helping our people out when we didn’t have anything. And I thank them from the bottom of my heart. And I love them. And I’ll always keep them in my prayers.”
When the Saints Go Marching In has followed Louis Armstrong’s rendition of Down By The Riverside on the Sound system – “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.”
This is Refinish69(Steve). Tonight was one of the best nights I have spent in years. I brought in my collection of teddy bears and collector Barbie dolls and watched the women of all ages smile from ear to ear as they selected babies to take with them and keep as keep sakes. The food was fabulous and the friends I made tonight will be friends for years. It is a fabulous feeling to see the survivors expressing their feelings, laughing, talking and even expressing anger at the situation. I feel blessed to have met these wonderful people. Tonight I feel the healing may have begun for some of my new friends.
This is roses. Oh, what a night! Truly the best gumbo and jambalaya I’ve ever had. Hard to describe all the emotions I feel. I’m just glad that these wonderful people that I’ve met from New Orleans are here with us and safe.
Ruffin of New Orleans says Good Night, Sleep Tight.
Othniel, you are doing such great work during this painful time. Thank you for putting your faith on the line in a way most of us cannot.
(To those who don’t know, Othniel is spending around six hours a day volunteering as a chaplain at the Austin Convention Center, where our city is sheltering a couple of thousand who came out of the NO Convention Center, and off the freeway overpass. These people have suffered in ways no one should have to– and it is good Austinites like Othniel who are helping them begin their healing process.)
I’m sorry I couldn’t make it for the feast– it sounded wonderful. Thanks for keeping us posted on how folks are doing. Peace to you all.
Cross Posted at http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/10/182/90270.
I’ll add my additional comments here as well.
These Survivors are amazing. Karry even cleaned up, and went with me to return the borrowed pots to WInk, where he discussed the finer points of roux with the Austin Chef in a language I could barely follow.
Escorting Veronica back into the convention center, grasping a hand knitted sweater roses had brought for her to keep the chill of the center’s air conditiotioning off of her, and turning her over to yet another volunteer to be tucked in – after she personally delivered a container of gumbo to her friend LaVerne who had been unable to attend.
Every now and then we have to turn off the computer and deal with the people.
Returning to the Convention Center with Veronica, Angie, Roderick, Corey, Orlando and Lawrence, and Veronica says, “It is the French Quarter.”
Orlando gapes at the girls, and Lawrence says he is gonna be a player.
Roderick and Corey find the motorcycles simply awesome, and endure being corrected by Orlando when they misidentify an ’04 Mustang as an ’05 one.
Orlando holds the football the four youngsters tossed about while hanging outside during the Bash.
Everyone is laughing, remembering, and moving forward. Corey holds the school supplies he garnered at the gathering. Veronica talks of past Mardi Gras in which her children marched in the bands. She enjoys the sight of the Texas Capitol lit up for the night, and Orlando asks if the statue on top of the dome is a replica of the Statue of Liberty, whose torch somehow is calling to him in all of his seventeen years of wisdom tonight.
I return home and Ruffin insists I come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and stay with him – and bring my son who left the gathering for an Austin concert too early to post on the live blog.
Music, Gumbo and the rhythm of life.
Thank you for helping to care for the people.
And thank you for your prayers and support.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it Friday to meet all of ya’ll in person, but thank you so much for saying hello here!
I want you to know that I have a fund that has been created by private donors from other states who really want to help people directly. Please let Robeert know if you have any needs that I can help with. He has my contact information.
I would also like to offer babysitting in my home for those of you who would like to have an ‘evening out’ (we’ve got two boys here, 2 and 6, who would LOVE to meet some new friends!).
I can offer rides and movie tickets and/or dinner (or both, at our very own Alamo Drafthouse!). I can also help with paperwork and/or finding out information for you about receiving your benefits, school enrollment, etc. I know that many of you have your basic needs met, but if you know of any families still struggling, please have Robert get in touch with me, so that I can see what I can do. Please do NOT hesitate!
Good fortunes smile on you — we hope to meet you soon!