Mississippi

After Edie got off to school, I did the very important task of cleaning a load of laundry. Possibilities can very grow with clean clothes. El showed me around Delta State, which was really cool because not only does she work there, but so does John and so does her mom. And as she works at the archives it also meant I got to see some exhibits. Again, a little sad I was missing John by leaving that morning, I headed south because the Big Easy was only supposed to turn into more of a traffic jam.

Now to really see the US and all the agriculture it was fitting I got to see so many dust croppers. In fact I made sure the outside vents were off, because while I set out to really see the US, the actual goal of the day was seeing the grand ole Mississippi. In the delta its interesting to see because it is flat and wide and I would say a bit brown at some of the places I stopped. But its grandness was not lost on this. After stopping near Greenville, I decided I also must go to Vicksburg. I know when you think of me Vicksburg is the next thing that pops into your mind. Well in fact in Middle School I had to do a project on Vicksburg, that at the time seemed very far away- though an important battle (as battles go, turns out I haven't really been a fan of wars my whole life.) Well, I was already behind schedule, but I thought I'll go to the park and just drive through real quick and be on my way. Turns out the loop is not really a real quick thing to do. And luckily I had stopped at the visitors center, even more lucky I have my Dad's park pass so he saved me some serious money for something I didn't see much of. So I drove through the town, went down to the river walk, drove past the Coca Cola site (while Coca Cola is an amazing concept that is bad for the worlds teeth, I actually have so issues with coorporate responsibility- you really are learning a lot about me today, ehh?), and then stopped before getting on the highway for one last view of the Mississippi.

I think it may be due to my brother, or the fact the we drive over the Potomac in the DC area so much, but in fact I think bridges help me understand and relate to rivers, especially if I am not crossing them or in a boat. So with the last view I got the bridge image in and then headed on my way.

I was still considerably behind schedule and there was no way I was making it to the first parade of the evening in New Orleans. So I continued (and in the south they drive fast, so it was a pretty steady pace until turning onto I-10 with everyone else going into New Orleans the friday night before Mardi Gras. Now please understand it was also sunset, and have you ever seen swamps and the bayou at sunset. The combination of colors and trees may be one of the most peaceful possible in the natural world, but still laced with excitement. This was compounded by two things, that fact that every new thing on a road trip has a sense of wonder and builds excitement, and the fact that there was nowhere safe to pull over and take photos...

A year before was my first trip to New Orleans with a group from AU- and how I wish they could have been with me this time. However, I think a caravan of three cars would have been quite difficult in the traffic. Now going into this city while a parade is going on, it is important to listen to your dear friend that lives there and get off at the right exit. It gets complicated when the roads start going all over the place and the traffic is going all of the place, but almost in an opposite motion. So I know a little bit about getting around New Orleans, but it is really hard to get around parades. Luckily between my GPS system (normally trev trev, but for this important night my mother looking on google from Arlington, with me on speaker phone describing where I thought the parade route was.) and me I got to Sara's apartment and was greeted by my friend Matt (who doubles as Sara's boyfriend). And then put the car in her buildings garage safely locked away as Mardi Gras took its full form.








Cheers,
Hannah

interlude

Are you ready for some more blogging??

Good cause I am very excited to write about New Orleans. However, in the mean time many of you know I need to talk things out to process and I recently came across this poem.

Friendship

Oh, the comfort- the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words - but pouring them
All right out - just as they are -
Chaff and grain together -
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them -
Keep what is worth keeping -
And with a breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.

-Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

So dear friends, thank you for all the things you help me process and that which you let blow away!

Glimpse of the South

Alabama and Mississippi -- February 19th

Leaving Georgia took a little time, as I had to say good bye to Mik and Amanda and all the Dogs. The second most notable event of the day once I was set into Alabama was the change in time zone. You see Mikey had alerted me to the fact it would happen a bit before Auburn U, but had my phone not been going crazy for some reason I am still not sure of- I actually saw the time change on my phone and all of the sudden it was a little before I had left that morning. Or maybe the phone was just excited about the time change and chose to go crazy to ensure I wouldn't miss it. I feel like time changes and state lines are important things to note on road trips.

speaking of rambling...

Now at this point I was also facing needing to cross Alabama and Mississippi for the longest day of driving so far. But you see I was going down through Montgomery, so I figured why not add on a little more time and go to Selma. The other big news of the day, was that I had started Nelson Mandela's autobiography on tape. And the juxtaposition makes a pretty convincing argument.

So I continued my way through Alabama and listening to Mandela's story made me think of the Wilson family trip to South Africa the winter of my freshman year of high school. This trip is in fact the reason I had the book on tape from my pops. So now I finally know what the family members who read the book before or during the trip were talking about. And when Robin island is describe I could visualize what we had actually seen.

The drive from Montgomery to Selma left my sense somewhat heightened, especially as I listened to race relations in South Africa. "I found to march with one's own people was exhilarating and inspiring." -Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

I was concerned when I got to Selma I wouldn't recognize the bridge or would have to ask where it was, which would hurt my pride as hadn't I seen enough photos, or known people who had marched, or seen the Jubilee marches on TV. Well in fact driving right over the Bridge makes it incredibly easy to recognize and I easily slide into a parking space at the Voting Rights Museum. The young woman not too much older than me very kindly started me into the museum and was delighted to hear stories of inauguration. I wish I could bring all my friends who are disenchanted with voting or chose not to or believe only the educated should vote to see these histories in our country and especially the south.

Both my parents said it was too bad I hadn't planned a little more to go with family friends that had actually been there or who knew the people at the voting rights museum. I think there a lot of histories I missed on the road through the south, but I am glad I went through Selma.

Now no offense to Alabama. I know great people from Alabama, but it feels about 30 years behind in some places. I don't know if it is just the look of things or some of the more rural roads I was on, but that was my feeling.

Once I got into Mississippi it was about time for another break. So I fulfilled my long time vow with my friend Jesse Gerard to go to Waffle House. I was a good few hours after lunch, and I really did not feel like a waffle. After a man, who seemed like he probably hung out in the waffle house next to the highway entrance ramp a few times a week for at least a few hours day, left- I had the place to myself. Now I don't know if my new friend, the waitress at the Waffle House, was just super excited about my trip and the possibility of traveling or if I was just super excited to talk to someone- but we had a great conversation. Everywhere I go I have been asking about the economy, and other than Greensboro, NC most places I have stopped have been doing alright. Well the girls at the waffle house seemed a little concerned as the waffle house a few miles away in Starkesville was closing and another in Florida. And I mean there are a lot of Waffle Houses in the south, but I guess they are just very popular and don't close. After my grilled cheese sandwich and conversation I got back onto the road and Danny Glover's narration of Mandela's book set me into the late afternoon Mississippi landscape.

It seemed fitting, after a minor fear of no gas stations coming up in time, that The Long Walk to Freedom ended as the colors of sunset were taking on the oranges that you miss running around in a busy city. And as dusk continued I was driving into the Delta. I am not sure if I have ever been anywhere so flat at sunset, where each layer of color rises off the parallel of the land's horizon. And then all of the sudden there wasn't any illumination but my head lights- until I looked up and saw the stars. I really should have parked beside someones farm to stop and really take in all that sky. I didn't know it then, but at no other time on my way to California would I be in such a rural place at night.

However, I had places to be, a car that needed to rest for the night, food to eat, and most importantly wonderful people to see. So i finally pulled into the Green's driveway in time to sit down for dinner. Unfortunately, I totally missed John, a professor at Delta State that has worked with mom for a few years now. He was with a group of students in another part of the state and waiting another day was making getting into New Orleans before Mardi Gras look more challenging. But I did get to see El and their daughter Eyde. And I mean these people have intelligent kids. Eyde talked for bit but then quickly took to reading- probably some encyclopedia in another language even though she is 8. But this gave El and I a chance to talk and I think we could have kept going til dawn. In fact I really think I would be lucky and hope to be like John and El in my 30's.

Cheers,
Hannah

dear Lars,

Today's entry is not going to help catch you up on where I am, it is in fact a tribute or shout out if you will to my brother from the west coast.  I figure its my blog so I can say what matters to me.  On that note:

HAPPY 26th Birthday Lars Hanson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful adventure this year.  I miss you, but we will celebrate next time I see you.

I hope everyone has a marvelous March 14th!

Cheers!
Hannah

45 minutes in Atlanta

Georgia, February 18th

Everything was working out pretty well for me and I was excited to drive through the mountains on the way to Georgia. After saying goodbye to the Blocks, who I am again truly grateful for meeting along the trip, I headed to Lake Junaluska. Which is also a United Methodist Retreat and as I was coming over a mountain a huge rainbow caught my eye. I ventured around the lake and then headed through the mountains and into the fog. Hours of fog in fact. It was lovely and in fact I think all the other driving has been on sunny days so far, so why not have to do a little extra concentrating.

On this drive Becca, my godsister, called me from a train in India. I was incredibly amused at the fact from the other side of the world we could be talking and somehow in our sorted locations both had that brief time with service. I enjoyed chugging along. Tried to stop at another Winery to get a Georgia one of my list, but alas they were not open on a Wednesday.

While I enjoyed the stops, I was also trying to make it through so I could get to Atlanta and have time to leave by 3:30pm so I wouldn't be caught in the bad traffic on my way to Columbus for the night. I made a few more detours, including trying to stop and see a powerful waterfall. However due to the fog the only inclination I had that there was a huge waterfall in front of my was the sound.

By the time I got to Atlanta and finally through the fog, it was 2:45. So what does one do with 45 minutes in Atlanta. I decided to go by the MLK memorial, which I had last seen as a kid when in Atlanta for a wedding with my family. The only thing I vividly remember from that trip was seeing the grave in the middle of a pool. This time was striking to me, because as I walked up now Coretta Scott King is also there. And it was actually a very powerful moment for me, being taken by the change and watching a young girl taking photos there.

By the time I left I had about 15-20 minutes left in Atlanta so I headed to the Carter Library located very close by. As i drove up I called my boss from AU, because we had been trying to track down two alumni that work for the Carter Center while I was still working in the Peace and Conflict Resolution Office. I decided I didn't have time to spend money on going into the Library, so asked her if she would look up one of the names and I would try to stop by the Carter Center and see if this alum was there. I also adore Becca (the boss this time, though I also adore my godsister) and enjoyed catching her up on the trip. So armed with the name I started walking into the main lobby of the Carter Center as a group was coming down the main stairs. And all of the sudden I was face to face with Jimmy Carter, who from ten feet away before I could react waved at me. My camera bag was at my side and I really wanted to say something, but as soon as I had waved back a secret service officer also waved at me, with the implication that he didn't want me to come in any further until they had finished walking through.

45 minutes in Atlanta was going pretty well at this point. So I tried to compose myself and went to the receptionist and asked for the AU alum. she called up and he ended up coming down and meeting there with me on the spot. By the end of the meeting I think I had almost convinced him to come up to DC on his own to visit old friends and then while he was there to come talk at the program I had started while I worked in the office. You see we don't exactly have the funds to fly alumni in for the hour and a half long round table sessions. Very nice meeting there though.

So it ended up being a few more minutes than 45, but I don't think I could have asked for much more with 45 minutes in Atlanta. Serendipitous to say the least, Jimmy Carter! I have new appreciation for Phil Davis asking Bob Wallace for 45 minutes all to himself in White Christmas!

The drive to columbus went very well as I was running on excitement and there was finally sunshine. I stayed with one of my moms friends from childhood, her husband daughter and their five dogs. It was an amazing evening and fun to talk more about mom's hometown and learn more about Mikey's family. Also the five dogs, four of which are larger than me, all had quite the personalities! The evening felt like getting in touch with my roots, evening though I have never lived in New York State, it was nice being around someone who knew mom for so long and the rest of the family. And meeting Amanda and learning more about their family. And if you don't know this about me, I can talk stories all night, so these visits after a day of driving are incredibly precious.

Georgia was pretty alright in my book.

I will continue on the southern adventure later this weekend! (I am actually in San Diego now, safe and sound and full of more stories)

Cheers,
Hannah

interlude unrelated to driving across country

As Some of you know I did an independent study on the poetry of social justice movements. I have included two below that were published online under Bleak House Review at. http://www.bleakhousepublishing.com

I am extremely grateful to the guidance of my professor Robert Johnson who has done wonderful work on prison justice. I know some of you are interested in Prison Justice and he just published a new book called Sunset Sonata.

About Sunset Sonata:

Robert Johnson’s voice resonates like a wise old teacher sharing his simple, worldly wisdom. He speaks about the natural world, the preciousness of life, and about innocence, but also about injustice, loss, human frailties, and the menace of terrorism, withholding nothing.

In spite of global threats, cynicism, loss, and the uncertainty and brevity of life, one can find nourishment and be restored by the words of poets like Robert Johnson who can find beauty and hope in the world.

For more info, this is the publishers site and please pass the word on:
https://www.brandylanepublishers.com/component/page,shop.product_details/category_id,21/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,77/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,62/vmcchk,1/





Poetry of Social Justice

Poetry cried out for social justice
before the movement started,
when the movement was challenged,
when the movement was scattered and lost,
when another movement came along.

Poetry exists in the shadows and lonely places of a social justice movement
in the leather journals,
on the paper napkins,
in tear sealed letters,
on the jail cell walls.

Poetry reflects the social justice movements
as the light between injustices,
as the clarity of purpose,
as the witness for the journey,
as the heart's hidden fragments.

Poetry is the cry of social justice movements
whispered by lone voices,
proclaimed to inspire new voices,

shouted over indifferent voices,
sung by a chorus of relentless voices.

Living Definition

define social justice:

do we start with cruelty,

or dignity?

must we characterize power,

or first, deprivation?

should we delineate ethics

or equality?

have we explored who its defined for,

or could it be universal?

do we denote law,

or value?

define social justice:

can you open up a dictionary,

or what about your heart?

will you describe what words designate,

or can you illustrate?

won't you assign something for society,

or for yourself?

is it ascertained for the broken,

or forgotten by your guilt?

do you have a basis to comprehend,

or will you miss our translations?

define social justice:

because your definition must come alive,

or our ink will fade…

Thanks for reading. The poems were in response to some of the works I was looking at. Back to blogging soon. The next one on Georgia is pretty exciting. I am actually in Arizona though and heading to San Diego today marking three weeks on the trip today.

Cheers,

Hannah

Lessons on Basketball, Biscuits, and beginning the trip

North Carolina!  Feb 15th-16th

Well it has been a little while since I have updated.  To be honest I finally had som

e time to myself, but spent it in a hot tub, instead of writing.  But I am going to try to sta

rt back tracking and getting some stories out.

I left everyone in VA and decided to drive through rural VA instead of going out of the way to stay on major highways.  This was a great choice.  I saw my first hitchhiker driving west, but before I set out on the trip I decided I would have to give up being friendly in certain ways as safety precautions.  needless to say I have been very safe so far on the trip.  

I also realized passing small church

es, that if I planned the

 trip again I 

would try to stop in churches in different places every Sunday to understand other cultural differences.  My favorite church sign said, "Get in now, before the Easter Rush"  Driving through Alabama I also saw a good one about coming to church no matter where you are in life, because "Moses was a basket case"  (Dad I thought of you and your sense of humor when I saw that.)

And all but one of the days I have been driving have been absolutely beautiful.  

Wel

l when I got to Chapel Hill/ Carsboro, I met up with my best friend while I was i

n Cuba.  And we drove to see wh

ere Jon grew up and meet his wonderful mother.  They started getting me prepared for the amount of sport and college basketball that was immanently coming into my life that evening.  Also they began giving me some tips on being in the south, and I apologise to anyone that has ever come over and I have not had some kind of food ready to offer you.  I am learning though.  Again meeting Jon's mom was a delight.  ALSO they have flowers down there.  (in fact that trend has continued as I have gone south)

Well then David and Jon, avid UNC fans and now Alumni had people over for the UNC game and chili.  Now it was a little to close for all the big fans, I however thought it was a very interesting game.  However the next nig

h

t when another random game was on I decided I had really watched two games at this point, and maybe making dinner and watching a movie was an okay second option. I just wasn't ready for too much of a good thing.

Now because my friends love me, or maybe because they also like southern food, Ellen, Jon and I had a mini Cuba reunion over southern food.  I had explained my need for biscuits and gravy.  Well when I got to that part of the meal the problems started arising.  at first I ju

st started pouring some gravy over the biscuits, which quickly caught th

eir attention.  They explained a biscuit is to be eaten with a fork and a knife.  Understandable so I take off the top half, pour gravy on and replace the top half.  (its okay to laugh at me, but I am used to biscuits and butter and there are far less rules).  Well this again elicited a big reaction and I ended up putting both sides face up, pouring on t

he gravy and finally enjoying a biscuit with a fork and knife the way the south intended.  

I also attended a class with Jon t

o see three Durham Public School Principals speak.  I of course found it fascinating, especially because I only really have DCPS and a little knowledge of New Orleans to compare it to.  And then when you hear how these school districts are going to be facing major budget cuts- its intense.  90% of one of the principals freshman haven't passed the middle school reading competency exams.  That is not just a number and something we can roll our eyes at and say is happening all over the country- however it is.

The next day I decided to cross North Carolina and called a friend I haven't seen since High school and woke him up at 9 am to see him at Gilford College.  And in fact so far I think that area has been the one most effected by foreclosures and then economy.  However they still make good coffee.  I also stopped into a little winery right before Asheville,

 with the help of my GPS device Trev Trev.  And had a nice talk with the guy that explained a family hobby got out of hand and now they are planting for their own v

ineyards.  If anyone would like to take up this hobby with me and then open a vineyard, please know I am interested.  

At this point I began to hit the mountains in North Carolina and detoured a little before Asheville to go to the Folk Art museum on the Blue ridge parkway.  I think I would have picked out a present for all of you in the gift store that sells the guilds work, if I had been able to afford it.  I had a great time looking through the glass work, and carving, and etchings, and weaving and etc.  

Then I ventured into Asheville and wandered around into book stores and to look at other art and talked to various artists.  Doesn't seem like a bad place to live.  I had decided to go to Austin to see my friend Ari, but as she was out of town, I think I made the right decision to go anyway.  As luck would have it, my friend Ethan's Aunt and Uncle took me in for the evening and spoiled me with a lovely meal and conversation.  And I was driving to their house through the mountains at sunset and it is an incredibly beautiful place!  

Also I think I am ready to adopt the Blocks as my own aunt and uncle and truly lucked out on how wonderful and fun they are to spend an evening with and talk over where I am in life.  

I definitely got two different sides of North Carolina, but absolutely beautiful places.  Turns out there are a lot of pretty places in this country, but we'll get to that in the next installments.  

Cheers,

Hannah

"I had the feeling I could be someone"

Newport News, VA. Feb 11th-14th

Someone asked me if I was nervous about going on a road trip by myself. I explained I am visiting people throughout the trip, so it feels like I am going home to an extent. While I really dislike being farther away from some people and having to drive away- driving toward great people is a very good distraction. That and the excitement factor of the adventure I have embarked on and seeing the country.

Well the first stop especially felt like going home, because I went to stay with two of my best friends for a few days. I had purposely built in a few days so I could decompress and rest some before the real days of driving started. But April and Amanda are the best kind of friends, because you can get up and do something crazy or you can spend hours on a couch or at a coffee shop relaxing and talking. In fact I think I could have easily spent another week there, especially if we got smoothies everyday. Also I have been adopted by the roommates Lisa and Ev- so it was really one big party, especially due to the lovely cat and two dogs... pets please!

On top of hanging out, Amanda and Ev also took me to the beach so I could put my toes in the Atlantic. Thus officially starting the cross country aspect of the trip. The wind was a bit fierce but for the middle of winter or even early spring it was spectacular. Also I wish I could have Amanda DJ for me across the entire country.

"You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere

Any place is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove

And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone" -Tracy Chapman

I also took an amazing detour to Williamsburg to visit my friend William (wil yum). I insisted on going into Colonial Williamsburg as soon as I got there to see if I could get to the Colonial Bakery for some Sally Lunn Bread before it closed. (which became a favorite from spending spring breaks in CW with the Brenneis' as a kid-- "Nottingham Ale" Bec) But of course I got distracted by the light (for taking photos) and catching up and we arrived 7 minutes too late... On the walk however a friend from middle school was running with some guys and when he saw me ran back and gave me a hug. You never know who you will see on a road trip- but Matt Dinan was a good treat. William and I met all the animals that were out and then jumped a fence to get into the grounds of the governors mansion. It turns out they didn't really want us there... but it was a very good time and appropriate as William is one of my favorite outdoor adventuring friends. We also went to a murder mystery dinner at William Mary with some of William's friends- and I feel like I am learning more about college life in different places.

Also of note was the black out at the girls apartment and eating taco bell over candle light and the LCD wind-up flash light/radio/ cell phone charger from my incredibly prepared car. The next night was followed by incredible laughs over beer, pizza, and of course a table full of valentines cards from 1992 that we had to laugh over and sort. It was one of those classic moments that I will remember my friends expressions as they laughed.

In the tradition started by Cole and the blue house in Columbia Heights where I lived last semester, I made brunch on Sat. morning. Also because I love french toast, it was Valentines Day, and I wanted to cook for Amanda, April, Ev, and Lisa.

I think I could have stayed a few more days as there was plenty more to talk about, but that is also the beauty of best friends. Soon I will update on the fun of driving in VA and NC.

On My Way

Wednesday Feb 11th- Car Packed ;) traveling begins...

It was a pretty great day for traveling. Sunny and warm, with maybe a little more wind than ideal. But a little more wind just makes everything feel a little more alive I suppose. Leaving DC toward Richmond, even in the middle of the work day, I wasn't surprised to hit a little traffic. And thanks to Claire, Kelly, Erin, and Cole I have a pretty good collection of road trip music to listen to. The kind of playlists that without even knowing it make me break into song. But the real moment of knowing I was on my way came after lunch with Dwayne in Richmond.

I found Dwayne, my friend and former youth director, hard at work in his office. He gave me a long list of choices for lunch, but when he mentioned he hadn't tried this Indian place I thought we should try it together. As we drove up I recognized the name and realized I was about to eat in a restaurant I have heard many stories about. Becca had spent the summer as a waitress at the restaurant and giving me anecdotes on the owners. The coincidence was profound to me at the time, as my dear godsister is off in India and I like connections to people I love. Dwayne and I had a wonderful time catching up and after all the hectic running around that happened before I left, it was a good way to calm down. As we were saying goodbye in the parking lot, he commented on how I had grown since high school and my comfort level with myself. I agreed with him whole heartily. Got into the car. Found the highway. And was on my way.