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| We started innocently in the lower left corner of the map this morning, heading for the upper right. Had we any idea these streets would be blocked, we might have easily figured something out. Oh well. |
We were innocently headed to the historic St. Augustine Catholic Church, the oldest African-
American congregation in the country, and we were excited to go.
As we confronted the first few blockades we assumed there must be just a neighborhood parade or something and gamely bounced around, listening carefully to the GPS lady advising us to turn here or there, cheerfully recalibrating our route at every misstep.
Unfortunately, the GPS lady may know New Orleans, but she doesn't know about detours, road construction, accidents, fog, or marathons. We confronted all those today, and more. Eventually we got to the other side of the first leg of the marathon by taking the I-10 overpass but alas, when we got to the Esplanade exit, it was blocked by another police car, which then forced us to take an exit in an area with copious gang signs spray painted on buildings.
There were times this morning that it was so ridiculous we laughed out loud, as the devil played every trick in his hand to keep us away from mass. Other times, bad words were spoken.
By now an hour and a half had passed in our five mile journey and we were again on the wrong side of the marathon course. Mass was under way on the other side of Esplande. We yielded to temptation and drove home.
So, anyway, that's our excuse for not going to church today.
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Update: Our neighbors made it to the church. They were five minutes late and almost divorced by the time they got there, but the agony was worth it, Sue exclaimed. The service was wonderful, the people gracious and the music very well done, inspirational and entertaining. (yes, there was a saxophone and a drum involved.)
We have resolved to try again next week, after we check to see if there are any marathons in town.
