I am one of the lucky ones--who got out in time and landed in a good place. On Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005, I left my apartment in Lakeview and headed to my boyfriend's sister's house in Lafayette. I got lost on my way there-- getting off 1-10 wasn't wise for someone who doesn't know the area--and spent that night in a shelter near Port Allen. The next day I made it to Lafayette, and was warmly welcomed by Sharon, with whom I stayed 2 days.

Then I made my way to Lake Charles, and spent the next week with my boyfriend Rick and several of the members of Papa Grows Funk. We were the guests of Barry, a Lake Charles doctor, who was an exceptionally gracious host. We ate delicious meals every night, took a ride on his party boat down the bayou... It was such a joy to be safe and happy while all hell was breaking loose in NO. All I could think was, "Had I stayed, I would have probably died." I was so grateful to be alive and well, I never shed one tear for my material losses.

Papa Grows Funk were then headed out west for a California tour, and they dropped me off at the airport in Houston, where I got on a plane to LA. I'd already had a trip to California in the works, so now all I had to do was switch airports. I spent a few days in LA with one sister, who bought me a new phone, and clothes, and whatever I needed. Then we drove to Monterey, where I moved in with my other sister, who had a garage apt. attached to her house. She said I could stay with her there as long as I wanted to.

As it was, Rick joined me there in a few weeks and we stayed through Christmas. I went to work at the Walgreens right down the street (I'd worked there in NO), and Rick went to work for my sister, at her sign and banner company. We loved the Bay area, and it felt like we were on a working vacation the whole time. We met lots of wonderful people who supplied us with every thing we needed, and we seriously considered staying out in California.

But we came back to NO in Jan of 2006, and after staying in 2 other apartments, are back home in our fixed-up apt in Lakeview. We feel so fortunate to have had so much help, and it was a treat to travel and enjoy the beautiful terrain and weather of northern CA. It's our home away from home!