This is my sample for the Austrailian challenge using the faux leather technique. I did a variation to try to look like a croc. I did not have any photos of the trip but used a photo of Robin and me from the previous year and used some postcards. Journaling was lengthy so I used a tag book.
Journaling reads:
We were in Lake Charles for Fat Tuesday and the celebrations were tamer than the New Orleans version but still a lot of fun. We still saw lots of parades and went dancing on Bourbon St many times. Because of one of our school programs we had the opportunity of a lifetime. The teacher previously worked for the mayor and was still involved in many charities and was able to get us in the stands where the mayor and the judges sat. It was so amazing. When she found that I was a big Harry Connick Jr. fan, she also got us in to see the Orpheus parade. I did not get a good look at Harry because he turned and kissed his wife right when he passed. I did see Sandra Bullock as she was presented with keys to the city.
I loved the cultural diversity – Creole, Acadian, Southern, and urban. It was such a great mix and the food was so delicious. Cajun food is the best. I tried many new foods that were so delicious. I tried crawdads, jambalaya, and even tried alligator. It tasted like spicy pork to me.
Hurricane Katrina struck last year in 2005 around the end of August. It was a horrible devastation to the area. New Orleans was completely under water and even areas in the northern LA were destroyed. It was such a horrific thing to happen to this great area and to the great people in it. I sometimes think of the time I spent there and wonder what happened to the great people we met and who took us into their homes. The destruction was so bad that New Orleans is still finishing rebuilding now a year later. According MardiGrasday.com many hotels are taking reservations and this year will be a big celebration of life. After going through hell and surviving, I canÂ’t think of better people that deserve a good time.
Date: Sunday, October 22, 2006 GMT Views: 632
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Registered: September 18, 2006 Location: SingStampShine, Florida Posts: 53481
Sun, Oct 22, 2006 @ 6:55 PM
Your layout makes me so homesick! I am from Westlake (just West of Lake Charles)...Rita was really hard on that part of Cajun country, and it will take a long time to recover ecologically and economically. I so much love my home state and all the wonderful cultural diversity it represents. Your layout captures the beautiful architecture, the wonderful music, and the Southern genteel spirit.