CHICAGO, IL. the drive home went well, fourteen hours of change: temperature became colder, sky became darker, land became more green and populated. for two weeks in new orleans i had thought about what it would be like to come home to a place where the streets are relatively clean, houses erect, landfills out of sight. i don’t see dump trucks every other block, or white fema trailers, or pink respirator filters. the change was significant, and i feel like i can breathe a little easier. the air is cleaner, the emotional stimulation less severe.

i will be here in chicago for two weeks gathering more supplies and preparing for a longer stay in new orleans. elise is still in new orleans working and will probably be there another week. thanks to all who have kept in touch. let us know if you want to know more about our experiences, or feel like coming down.

love, nicholas.