Preparation and Expectations

Outer blog:

      Going through my clothes I'm looking at my very organized closet, clothes hanging in order of winter to summer, with fall clothing somewhere in between. For this trip what do I want to pack? I did some research on the clothing style worn in New Orleans. I found that this culture is very fashionable, so my bland cardigans were not an option. I also found that the weather for this the time we will be there is going to be in the upper 50s to mid 60s if not even higher. This meant that my clothing choices were really limited to my spring and fall clothing options. One of the colorful cardigans I own was a must have for this trip, it can be matched with jeans, a cute skirt or a playful pair of pants. So my clothing options where kind of chosen around that one accessory piece. I also chose a couple if different pairs of shoes that are cute but extremely comfortable for walking in. Some that are for long distance all day walking and others that are for more cute night wear but still comfortable. I have always wanted to visit New Orleans but I did not know much about what Mardi Gras or what it was. So for this trip I have looking up what it is and about the tradition that come with celebrating it. Through google I have learned that Mardi Gras is a french carnival celebration that begins on the day of lent and ends of the day before Ash Wednesday. This so much more of a deeper meaning than what American society has show it as on social media and our society as represented it. In preparation of the train and trip I really haven't done much, I don't need much to travel with and I have quick easy travel pack prepared because it is something I have done often in my life. Preparation for the class really just included research of New Orleans, and how to blog and inner and outer journey. The biggest preparation I had to make for this trip was arrangements for my dog Cessy, who will be staying with my older sister for the time of my trip.

Inner blog:

     I am slightly concerned about this trip, I can be very shy and I do have social anxiety. Taking a trip with a lot of strangers causes me high anxiety levels. However, I do have two close friends coming on this trip too, so that calms my fears. Exciting, fun, and strange are some ideas of how I think this trip will be like. I think there are going to be a lot of exciting and fun things that we do, but I think some of the things for the Mardi Gras celebration and different tours we will take will be more strange than just your basic museum tours. That being said I think the strange part of this class will be the best part. I love to experience different and unique experiences which I think is something we are going to get. I really believe if you go to a different town or different country and you don't do the different our unique thing they have to offer, and just stick to what you know, then did you really get to exepereince what their culture has to offer? That is what I really want out of this course. I want to experience a new culture and what it has to offer. I feel like being open to new cultures and learning about them helps me grow as a person, and I hope this class gives me that opportunity. The reason I took this course is because of my love of traveling. The Haunted History Tour is one thing I am so excited to do. I am very interesting in the super natural and I think it will be so much fun to see the history behind some of the most natouriosly huanted places in New Orleans.