It might seem strange to consider a journey to Biloxi as a pilgrimage. It isn't the town most people would choose for spiritual exploration. But then again most towns haven't gone through the type of devastation that resulted from Hurricane Katrina. There's no doubt that New Orleans ultimately suffered greater damage, especially after the levees broke, but Gulfport-Biloxi suffered a great deal. There's really not much point in trying to compare the relative effects. But it is worthwhile to think about how far--or I should say how little--things have progressed since Katrina changed the social, geographical, and political landscape of this country.
In Biloxi, the casinos and the resorts are back in business. More than one person pointed out that these businesses provide tax revenue, bring in tourists, generate jobs, and so on. True. Still, there's something perverse about seeing broken homes, a University that looked like a ghost town, a closed down beach (too much debris in the water for people to swim), and debris from gutted homes on the street, all within plain sight of luxurious condos, hotels and resorts.
Smaller, locally owned businesses have come back as well. We made more than one trip to the wonderful Electrik Maid Bakery. I met an incredibly sweet (pardon the pun) woman at this bakery who would refer to everyone as "sweetie-pie" or "darling." When my friend (see his blog post) mentioned this about her, she simply stated that she treats everyone the way she expects to be treated. It was really touching to experience the Golden Rule in action. Her spirit, warmth and kindness brightened everyone's mood. And the butter cream certainly satisfied everyone's sweet tooth. We also ate at Le Bakery, a place that has managed a unique form of fusion cuisine--Vietnamese style po' boy sandwiches. My wife, our friend and I were taken to Le Bakery by one of the kind souls who volunteer at Hands On Gulf Coast. He is one of the "long termers" who have spent months in Biloxi on the rebuilding and reconstruction efforts.
I had the great fortune of spending a few days with these volunteers at their facility in Biloxi--the "sacred place" for my pilgrimage. If you have watched the TV show "Jeremiah" you're familiar with Iron Mountain. The Hands On "base camp" in Biloxi reminded me of Iron Mountain as a place where kind, thoughtful, generous, dedicated, humble, beautiful (in every sense) were rebuilding their world with irrepressible spirit and courage. Even within a few days, I felt a deep sense of respect for and bonding with these people. Everyone participated eagerly in the chores in the base camp, and everyone volunteered for a range of activities from building to serving meals to petting cats and dogs at the Humane Society. I found myself happily carrying a box full of rotting vegetables to the compost heap in the garden. I've stayed at some of the finest hotels in the world, but I can honestly say that I've never slept as peacefully and deeply as I did in the backyard tent at the base camp.
President Bush visited Hands On Gulf Coast in April 2006. At the Hands On base camp in Biloxi, there's a picture of him "horsing around" with one of the volunteers. It was interesting to note that I didn't have a single conversation about politics while I volunteered in Biloxi. I think that Hands On is pragmatic in the sense that they focus on rebuilding lives and they understand that resources and support can come from a variety of places. I admire their compassion for others, especially when combined with this dispassionate approach to garnering support and attention for their goals.
My pilgrimage to Biloxi was an important step in my journey of self-actualization, but it also made me realize I have a long way to go. Hats off to the Hands On folks in Biloxi.
In Biloxi, the casinos and the resorts are back in business. More than one person pointed out that these businesses provide tax revenue, bring in tourists, generate jobs, and so on. True. Still, there's something perverse about seeing broken homes, a University that looked like a ghost town, a closed down beach (too much debris in the water for people to swim), and debris from gutted homes on the street, all within plain sight of luxurious condos, hotels and resorts.
Smaller, locally owned businesses have come back as well. We made more than one trip to the wonderful Electrik Maid Bakery. I met an incredibly sweet (pardon the pun) woman at this bakery who would refer to everyone as "sweetie-pie" or "darling." When my friend (see his blog post) mentioned this about her, she simply stated that she treats everyone the way she expects to be treated. It was really touching to experience the Golden Rule in action. Her spirit, warmth and kindness brightened everyone's mood. And the butter cream certainly satisfied everyone's sweet tooth. We also ate at Le Bakery, a place that has managed a unique form of fusion cuisine--Vietnamese style po' boy sandwiches. My wife, our friend and I were taken to Le Bakery by one of the kind souls who volunteer at Hands On Gulf Coast. He is one of the "long termers" who have spent months in Biloxi on the rebuilding and reconstruction efforts.
I had the great fortune of spending a few days with these volunteers at their facility in Biloxi--the "sacred place" for my pilgrimage. If you have watched the TV show "Jeremiah" you're familiar with Iron Mountain. The Hands On "base camp" in Biloxi reminded me of Iron Mountain as a place where kind, thoughtful, generous, dedicated, humble, beautiful (in every sense) were rebuilding their world with irrepressible spirit and courage. Even within a few days, I felt a deep sense of respect for and bonding with these people. Everyone participated eagerly in the chores in the base camp, and everyone volunteered for a range of activities from building to serving meals to petting cats and dogs at the Humane Society. I found myself happily carrying a box full of rotting vegetables to the compost heap in the garden. I've stayed at some of the finest hotels in the world, but I can honestly say that I've never slept as peacefully and deeply as I did in the backyard tent at the base camp.
President Bush visited Hands On Gulf Coast in April 2006. At the Hands On base camp in Biloxi, there's a picture of him "horsing around" with one of the volunteers. It was interesting to note that I didn't have a single conversation about politics while I volunteered in Biloxi. I think that Hands On is pragmatic in the sense that they focus on rebuilding lives and they understand that resources and support can come from a variety of places. I admire their compassion for others, especially when combined with this dispassionate approach to garnering support and attention for their goals.
My pilgrimage to Biloxi was an important step in my journey of self-actualization, but it also made me realize I have a long way to go. Hats off to the Hands On folks in Biloxi.
