Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
July 17
I had qualms about New Orleans. I don't have them anymore. As I ran
into this port city, I was immediately struck by the defiant spirit of
the place. The people here are soldiering on. What they endured from
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 defies belief. Katrina was the sixth-strongest
hurricane in recorded history, and the United States' third-strongest.
The blasting winds topped 225 kilometres per hour. The storm surges,
or tidal waves, were 6 metres high, and the poorly constructed levees
were no match. The city was flooded in quick time, with 80 per cent
under water that was 7 metres deep in some places. The death toll was
1836, and more than a million people in Louisiana and Mississippi
had their homes destroyed. The city still has not been repaired. The
residents are determined to restore their lives and their city to pre-
Katrina conditions.
What a wonderful New Orleans welcome I received. As I ran into
the beautiful, ravaged, historic city, the spiritual home of American
jazz, blues and gospel music, I was greeted by a Dixieland jazz band
playing 'You Are My Sunshine'. This was kind of ironic, because it
was 40 degrees in the shade. The local Red Cross workers, led by Kay
Wilkins, the chief executive of Red Cross Southeast Louisiana, all came
out and danced to the music right there in Canal Street. I was hon-
oured and touched that they'd go to such trouble.
I told them, with perhaps a little hyperbole, 'People across Amer-
ica and indeed across the world are making a big deal about this run,
a simple little Australian who's putting one foot in front of the other,
running from one polar ice cap to the other. But I have to tell you, I
go through a little bit of pain on the road, and there are times when
I question my reasons for doing what I'm doing, especially when I'm
running alone and there is no band to play for me like there is today,
and no welcoming crowds, no one from the Red Cross, no fanfare.
I wonder why on earth I'm doing this. But at times like this, I know
exactly why I'm pushing on. So on behalf of the people of the world,
thanks to you all for turning up today. When you're working at your
Red Cross desk and you think no one cares what you are doing, let me
say that they do care and they appreciate the wonderful work you do.
Never think that you are alone.'
Kay Wilkins then stepped up and did something very special,
