Vertical Ethiopia

Yesterday in Raleigh, Great Outdoor Provision Company sponsored an event at the Lincoln Theatre. Majka Burhardt spoke and showed slides to introduce her book, Vertical Ethiopia, which is about a climbing expedition 4 women took in Ethiopia.

Not being a climber myself, I went mainly because I wanted to hear about Ethiopia, and see pictures of the landscapes. I was not disappointed. The photography by well known adventure photographer, Gabe Rogel, was absolutely stunning, so stunning in fact, that I now own the book. Beyond the pictures though, the overall story Majka told was entertaining and thought provoking. She was able to weave the thrill and danger of various climbs together with her introduction to Ethiopian culture.

Almost 3 years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still a major renovation zone, and many places have barely been able to begin, even though the trailers are supposedly no longer a living option.

Many areas of New Orleans sustained minor damage due to being on higher ground (like the French Quarter), and some neighborhoods which had only 2-3 feet of standing water (only??) have finally come into the completion phases of their reconstruction. And according to the numbers we heard from locals, close to 70% of the total population is back in one way or another.

The lower ground areas, however, are still struggling for their very survival, especially the neighborhoods of the Lower Ninth Ward. What was once a large and dense series of neighborhoods is now desolate fields.

This is a street in the Upper Ninth Ward, still under major reconstruction efforts. This picture is also an example of what the streets of the Lower Ninth used to look like.

This is what the Lower Ninth Ward looks like as of July 26, 2008.

There is hope! We DID see some new construction.

According to all the locals we talked to, churches, neighborhood groups and other non-profits soliciting volunteer help have been the key to any successful reconstruction efforts. People have come from all over the country to help, and volunteers from within New Orleans have organized, housed, fed and worked alongside these volunteers.

If you wish to help, there are many worthy efforts to donate time or money to. From our research (a few days in New Orleans and talking to lots of locals), we will name 2 we feel confident in recommending:

• Common Ground Relief - They’re not just taking money to help, they are literally stationed right there in the Lower Ninth. They are organizing rebuilding efforts, as well as providing short term relief for victims. Of course, I don’t know this, but my guess is that the moneys donated are actually used immediately to fund reconstruction, rather than sitting in a fund somewhere all wrapped up in red tape.
• Church of the Annunciation Mission – I’m sure there are many churches and missions to work with. We heard about this church in particular as being well organized, providing accommodations, food and volunteer team organizers for those who wish to join the rebuilding effort of New Orleans.

It was like a remake of The Birds on the beach today (we’re at the beach! YEAH!). A giant swarming mass of Cormorants descended on the water.

After the class, as we were walking back, we saw a sad little site:

You see those people all standing at the flagpole in the middle of the quad? They’re smokers. And it turns out that this is one of the few areas on campus where smoking is allowed (see map below). I mean, look at them. How much more stigmatized can you be? Are they gonna have to wear a big red “S” on their shirt soon? Apparently though, smoking is still a patriotic, U>S>A activity, as the spot has been designated with the flag.

I guess they better smoke up now, because once the spring and summer “Please do not walk on the grass” signs come out, they’re screwed.

Here’s a map that shows where smoking is not allowed:

I’m wondering if anyone has decided to designate that tiny little smoker triangle with a little flag or spray paint or something. Maybe someone could organize some kind of time table since I’m sure only one person can fit in that spot at a time.

Mr. Simpson’s shop is on the corner of the site. We stopped in and were lucky enough to find him there working. You can only see his smaller pieces,the ones available for sale to the public, if he’s there at the shop to show them to you. There are not standard visiting hours or anything like that, so we felt lucky indeed. A neighbor and friend of Mr. Simpson’s came by while we were there because heneeded a piece of farm machinery welded for strength. So, we also got the pleasure of hearing all sorts of stories concerning the goings-on of the surrounding community.

Mr. Simpson is close to 90 years old, and continues to be incredibly prolific in both his art and his stories. He started working with metal and wind about 50 years ago, after returning from WWII. About 30 years ago, he started adding artistry and fantasy into his already functional wind devices.

Vollis Simpson’s whirligigs are now in museums and galleries around the country, and his Windmill Farm is listed as one of NC’s stops in Roadside America. He has been on 60 Minutes, PBS and lots of art or outsider art publications.

To find out more go to:
Science Museum of Minnesota (great overview of site and interview with Vollis)
Roadside America
Folk Art Magazine
Off the Map Travelogue, PBS

There were stripes in the sky in Raleigh today. David Eichenberger, a friend and artist with apparent meteorologist tendencies, says it has something to do with “gravity and wind.” Other than that, it’s a beautiful mystery.