After a very long and tiring bus ride we arrived in New Orleans this morning around 9:00 am. Thanks to Georget Rudisill for transport to the bus launch in Hanover. We let hanover for Rt. 81 a little before 11:00 am yesterday. We made regular pit stops to stretch and use the potty. The bus ride included a teeth-rattling stretch of road in Alabama that woke the sleeping among us. I've never beenon a worse stretch of highway. It was Rt. 59 north east of Birmingham, ALA.
We had dinner at a Shoney's in Virginia. We had breakfast at a McDonald's in Mississippi. Some of the kids slept. Then average sleeper slept about 4 hours.
In a word, uncomfortable. And expected.
We listened to music. I finished a book and started another. Now I'm reading Brian Mclaren's book "Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and the revolution of Hope." Great read so far as I expected.I'll finish it on the way home.
After arriving so early we were able to unload our gear into Gail's room---the only ready room of the four we booked. We then took the trolley downtown and walked the several blocks to convention center to register, get oriented, and pick up supplies. We all get these awesome book bags, a tshirt, and a Lutheran Study Bible retooled for he gathering, including some gathering specific material. nice.
I caught up with Charlie Roberts and Jay Eckman and Newell Embley. There is a palpable buzz in the city about our mega-presence. We've already talked to locals. Its neat to be identified as Lutherans in the city and to be graciously welcomed here. We strolled down to riverwalk---a mall, shopping, dining pavilion on the Mississippi River---nice, like Inner harbor, Baltimore or navy Pier, Chicago. I ae cajun chicken and jambalaya. Nick ate Pizza. Karen and Ariana ate shrimp criole. Wes ate Chinese. Tonight we have opening in the SUperdome and community life activities until 10:45. More after that, including pics...time now for a swim and a nap. Peace out.
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