NOLA to P'cola

My COVID recovery went very well. The symptoms remained mild, and I was lucky not to have picked up a cough. I did, however, lose my sense of taste and smell, but within a week, they were back. The care I got from my friend's sister was a big factor in my quick recovery. She had various vitamins and over-the-counter medications that helped. She also made juice using papaya, pineapple, galanga (a root similar to ginger), and cinnamon. We both commented on how those powerful ingredients probably helped with my taste and smell coming back. It also tasted amazing and was very nutritious. As I continued to recover, I took some walks around the neighborhood and visited the post office to send out some postcards.

As the weekend approached, I moved back to my friend's house to spend a couple more days with them. I was feeling mostly recovered and had been wanting to help her mow the lawn. We ended up finding a used battery-powered lawn mower on sale. After a very relaxing and task-free Saturday, we woke up early Sunday morning to get it. After picking it up, we went to downtown Gretna to have breakfast at one of her favorite spots. I had delicious shrimp and seafood eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce and grits. Full and ready for a day of gardening, we dove right in. The mower did a decent job, though we had to recharge the battery a few times between cuts. In between battery charges, we found plenty of other work around the yard. It was very rewarding to do some physical work as well as help out. The next morning, excited to continue the lawn-mowing, I was abruptly halted when the mower wouldn't turn on. After multiple attempts, aided by internet forums and videos, I discovered it was still under warranty. The original owners were very helpful, and I was able to take it to an authorized dealer, where it’s currently being worked on.

My original plan was to leave for Pensacola on Tuesday, August 27th, but I had my first change of plans and ended up staying in NOLA until Friday. More on that in a bit. The longer stay allowed me to spend a couple more days with the host I had stayed with before getting COVID. I went over to his house on Tuesday afternoon and stayed there for two nights. We had a great time making delicious food (he used to be a chef), driving down to the river to see the new lights on the bridge, and I was able to help out with some tasks around the house. More exciting was getting to join him for the purchase of a new car. He had owned a 2004 Honda Civic, which was also the last new car I purchased and have fond memories of. It was fun to test out the new car and accompany him through that process. During this stay, I also met up with another Couchsurfer I was supposed to meet before getting sick. I joined her and her co-workers the next night, and we had great chats about AI and what the future could hold—both scary and hopeful.

Now, back to the Pensacola change of plans. As I tried to make arrangements for my stay, things just weren’t coming together. I shared with the Couchsurfing host that I had recently had COVID and didn’t want to risk getting him sick. I then explored Airbnb as an option, but either cost or COVID made it unfeasible. That’s when I remembered an offer my friend’s sister had made. Shortly after I arrived at her house, she mentioned she’d be in Santa Rosa Beach (located a couple of hours east from Pensacola) for Labor Day weekend with a group of friends, and I was welcome to visit if I could get down there. In life, I’ve learned not to push too hard when things aren’t working out, and this was one of those moments. I realized I could drive with them and spend the weekend together. I ran the idea by her, and she responded with a resounding yes. From there, everything fell into place. We found another Airbnb across the street from the house they’d booked, and with the extra space, my friend was able to come too. It couldn't have been more perfect. We spent a great deal of time on the beach, had great conversations, and ate delicious food. It was an amazing group of people, and I was truly honored to have been invited.

On Monday, we packed up and started the journey back west, where I’d be dropped off in Pensacola. As the time to part ways approached, we reflected on how wonderful the past few weeks together had been. I once again expressed my gratitude for the time we shared. Both my friend and her sister are amazing women. When we arrived at my Airbnb, we said our goodbyes, carrying with us many great memories. As they drove off, I walked up the steps to my Airbnb, which I later found out was a historic home that had briefly housed the Spanish consulate. The next day, I walked to the cemetery where our great-grandfather is buried. I spoke with the funeral home about possibly viewing and copying any documents they had, but unfortunately, they weren’t able to share them. The following day, I moved to a Couchsurfing host’s house, where we went on a bike ride around the historic part of the city. He shared stories about when the port played a big role in the city and how he used to work at the docks. On Saturday, I’ll catch a plane to Tampa, where I’ll finalize preparations before heading to Cuba on the 12th. It’s been great getting to see Pensacola and learn a bit more about my ancestors.