Whilst the destination was idyllic and we were swimming in the sea on 20th November, I struggle to be happy with certain aspects of this trip. I know I am a guest in this country which has already given me some real highs, I have been brought back to earth by images which I have not taken because I felt voyeuristic of people’s misery so here is just one and this is not the worst.
I had a friend in 1980 who described treating black and white patients in separate and diametrically opposed medical centres…no prizes for guessing which was air-conditioned and which was corrugated. Well not a lot in terms of basic living standards appeared to me to have changed and because we travelled alongside a railway much of the time living on the wrong side of the tracks is blazoned on my memory.
So to lift the mood here is a brief itinerary including some stuff that made us laugh, think and a little more educated.
Day 1 – travel to Vicksburg, Mississipi where General Jackson (Brickwall or was that Stonewall) of the Confederates surrendered. The big M is so impressive, but disappointing for me was that the giant paddle steamers weren’t paddling up and down, they are casino’s instead.
Vicksburg can also lay claim to being the first place where Coca Cola was bottled. Recent flood tribulations show history and nature repeat themselves relentlessly. I know I am short but....
Hmm if you still need warning against certain behaviours when you are Over 25…
Those guilty of 1 and 5 clearly need a permanent place in here!
Day 2 – Pensacola..yep another bijou residence on our books and with such a perfect beach nearby
Clearly this fella needed a warmer temperature.
Day 3 – Cruising into Mississippi again I could not resist this Adams family funereal car…there wasn’t anyone in it though I expected Gomez or Fester to wave!
I started off less flippant than usual
On the right of the above I-90 Mississippi coastal road is Katrina’s handiwork 2 years on. Without being voyeuristic there was nothing to take except shots of trees torn in two, concrete bases where houses and garages used to be, upside golden arches swinging in the wind, high schools still standing but with black gaping holes where the windows had been. In the absence of houses and communities, the authorities can be congratulated on getting the casinos up and running presumably on the principle that the Yankee dollar will bring prosperity to the area……
Day 5 the wrong track day continued and finally we ended up in Nacitoches (pronounced nackatouches) which is slap bang in the middle of sugar cane country….location for the filming of the Steel Magnolias
and the oldest European settlement in Louisiana. Known as Cane Country due to the river.
In the words of Forrest Gump..."That's all I have to say bout thaaaaat".
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