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I Love the South!

by Stephanie Casher on July 25, 2006

I’ve been making my way through the South since the last time I wrote. I LOVE IT! I’m not sure if its because I came from the hot, dry, flat, brown topography of Texas, but when I was driving through Northern Louisiana on 1-20, it was just gorgeous, gorgeous country… Very lush, very green, a landscape etched with rivers and swamps. Totally fell in love with the area. Then I crossed over the Mississippi River into Mississippi, which was wild. I was greeted by yet another massive lightening storm and torrential downpour upon entry, but hey, at least it wasn’t 105 degrees anymore! Made it into Jackson, MS safe and sound Saturday night…

My dad grew up in Jackson, and his younger brothers and the rest of my Fam still live out there. I stayed with Uncle Frederick, Aunt Gloria and Cousin Derrick, and they took very good care of me. Good food, lots of laughs, and a tour of my dad’s old stomping grounds… It’s crazy the amount of history in this town. Though it was strange to hear phrases like “white side of town” and “Black side of town” (segregation is still alive and well in MS), I loved Jackson. I wish i could have stayed a little longer…

Cousin Derrick showed me a real good time, lol. First night D and Uncle Ced took me out to the clubs and tried to get me drunk (do we detect a theme here?) I did my first ever shot of Patron with these crazy cats at the club (those that know me know that I absolutely hate the taste of tequila, but I sucked it up… literally). Uncle Ced was a trip — I’m used to Cashers being all conservative, but apparently our rep out here is to be on the wild and freaky side, LOL. We were swapping stories and he goes – “Girl, you a Casher!!!” and I just died laughing. Yup, I guess I am ;-)

Chilled out with Derrick and cousin Aafram the next day on the golf course. SO MUCH FUN. Just kicking back watching these boys try to play golf (lol – just teasin!) and cruisin’ around on the prettiest golf course I’ve ever seen… It was so peaceful. I had a little too much fun drivin’ around in the golf cart – almost rolled it once or twice, LOL. Scared the crap out of young D, hee hee. But good times were had by all (well, maybe not by the kid Derrick beamed with his golf ball… Foooorrre!)

Left Jackson yesterday and headed down to New Orleans. Took the Causeway across Lake Ponchatrain coming in, which was surreal since the last time I saw it on TV it was broken up and busted. Checked into my hotel, then did a tour of the city. While the Garden District is still intact and gorgeous, the same can not be said for the rest of the areas I toured.
Drove through Jefferson Parrish and other areas in the hood… Canal St… You’d think Katrina hit 2 months ago, not almost a year ago looking at some of these areas… It was so sad. The stench in Jefferson Parrish in particular is still pretty strong. I don’t have a “Before” image of New Orleans since this was my first time here, but it definitely is not the same city. The spirit, pride, and sense of humor seems to be intact (the best T-shirt I saw read “FEMA Evacuation Plan: Run Bitch Run!!!” lol), but efforts to rebuild are definitely lagging…

Okay, time to hit the road AGAIN, lol. Next stop, somewhere in Florida. I’m excited to see the ocean again, and have some quality beach time. I’ll try to update with pics as soon as I can…

PS: Eric, our soon-to-be attorney is taking the dreaded Bar Exam this week. If everyone could send up a little prayer on Eric’s behalf for concentration and clarity through this gruelling 3-day test, it would be much appreciated. I love you bro, and I’m sure you’ll do great!!!

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