So many of you have contacted me, and I want to tell you all the story, but thought I would put it here for everyone to read. Information on UNO’s and New Orleans reopening is in red at the end. Let me know if you have any questions!!!

First, you may want to know that I was unable to leave until Sunday morning because my car broke down on Friday. I’d had no indication anything was wrong until Thursday evening on my way home from work. Afer calling around on Friday I finally founf a place that could take it. Every other place was 30-40 cars deep. I took it to a Midas on Canal. They tried to charge me $800 to replace my alternator and my battery. I finally talked them down to $606. I fully intend to report them for price gouging when I return. They knew it was my only means of evacuating, and that I virtually had no choice but to pay whatever price they asked. This is the bad side of what happens in an emergency. In any case, they didn’t finish my car until Saturday, so I simply could not leave before Sunday.

Saturday evening (having cleaned out almost all edible food from my refirgerator, a couple of us headed down to Frenchman Street for dnner. Driving around the city was eerie. There was nearly nothing open, and all shops and hosues were boarded up. There was a cop on almost every other street, and the streets were dark. There was a palpable sense of anxiety. It was as if it was an eletrical current in the air…. At dinner, though we tried to talk about other things, table talk was all Gustav, Katrina, and can we get another round please?

We made it an early night. We stll had cars to load, and short naps to get before we left our homes to weather who knew what….

I left New Orleans at 4 am on Sunday morning. I was caravanning with some friends, and my car was packed tight with what I was bringing to evacuate, my dog, my two cats, and the tiny two month old kitten that had come running out of an abandoned house next door. The kitten put its little paws on my foot and meowed and purred and I couldn’t leave it to potentially drown, so took it with me. I’m calling it karma, because I feel like it must have some very good karma.

I was trying to beat the contraflow, which had been scheduled to start at 6, but was moved up to 4, so got stuck right in the middle of it. Merging onto I-10 was scary to begin with. The cars were inching along, and it was nothing but break lights as far as the eye could see ine ither direction. Contraflow didn’t start till the other side of the lake, and it took us over two hours just to get to the lake. had WDSU on the car radio and listened to the reports non-stop. I was addicted to information and ouldn’t turn it off. People who’d already been driving for hours were stopped on either side of the road, walking dogs, stretching legs, and eyeing the marsh in the distance. Everything felt like a very dark dream, even after it got light. I joked that I felt like was in a David Lynch film. Especially as I was listening on the radio to reports of how SUCCESSFUL contra-flow and the evacuation was going. I must have been hearing those reports from an alternate universe.

“We’re very happy that we were able to get the citizens out in a timely and expeditious matter,” said New Orleans City Council member James Carter, District C.

It took me almost 8 hrs to make it to Hattiesburg, MS, which should be about an hour away from the city. The state police kept closing off exits, as each of the gas statons there ran out of gas. By the time we got to Hattiesburg it was about noon, and I had run out of snacks and yet to have a meal. It would still be a while. Myself and my friend travelling with me are vegetarian, so the few fast food places we encountered were almost all off-limits, and every Burger King we came to for much of the day was out of veggie burgers. I lived on penauts and sweet tea between then and the time we finally found food, around 3 pm that day.

To everyone that sent me text messages – thank you. If not for you I wouldn’t have been able to stay awake, and as it was almost impossible to get a call out, you are life-savers. Perhaps quite literally! This is one of the good things about people in an emergency….

After eighteen hours of driving I made it only as far as Tuscaloosa, AL.

By the time we made it to Tuscaloosa I couldn’t go any farther. I was exhausted, sore, and the animals were restless, hungry, and thirsty. I had been feeling as if I was driving drunk for a number of hours. I was so tired I’d lost depth perception, and the never ending stream of brake lights was merging into one funny looking red dot. I knew that we could go no further.

I was very upset and we got off the interstate and started going around begging for rooms. There were none to be had. had been trying to book something or days, so was not surprised. My phone was also dead at this point, and two women at one of the hotels took pity on us, let me charge the phone, and gave us some water and fruit. It was after 9 now, and the only meal we’d had since 3 am was the 3 pm one in Laurel, MS.

Eventually, they gave us a room (after I both broke down in tears on them, and then translated for them and a Spanish speaking guest). It was well after 11 pm at that point. It had become over a twenty hours saga at that point. We were at a Hilton Garden Inn and these women, Antesha and Brianne, were incredible. They are not only what Guest Service should be, they are good, kind people. I am writing to Hilton about them….

We came the rest of the way to Chattanooga, where I have friends, yesterday. And then had a pitcher of very strong margaritas.

Bill and Nancy are in Ponchatoula. They have no power, but do have a generator, and so far, so good there…. Everyone else I know is safe so far. If there is anyone in particular you want to inquire about, let me know.

In the meantime, the University of New Orleans has decided that classes and normal operatons will not resume until Monday, Septemeber 8th. Stay in touch, and check the website for more details. Also, if you are a NOLA evacuee reading this Nagin is urging people not to try to return until late Wed or Thursday at present, as power is out in over two-thirds of city and water and sewage sytems are not working properly. The city remains on curfew. And who wants to live under martial law – AGAIN? We all remember the troops of National Guardsmen filing past the Parkview Tavern with their machine guns in one hand their beer in another. It inspires such confidence….

Stay safe everyone. And thanks again for your many kind calls, emails, texts, and well-wishes.

Jeni

In the $7-$11 range there are two options that are both excellent.

1) “Altitude Adjustment” by Sun Country 1-800-722-8420
This is a great one to take pro-actively.  They are in capsule form and
you can start taking them on the plane with a lot of water.  I have used
these and found them very effective.  The last time I came back to Taos
after being away for seven months the altitude hit me.  I used these for
about five days.

2) “ChlorOxygen” Chlorophyll Concentrate by Herbs etc.  www.herbsetc.com
This comes in liquid form, which is great because liquid always works
faster.  It helps to build red blood cells quickly, which is what counters
altitude sickness.

The last one is expensive, but powerful.  It will run $25-$30

3) “Cell Food” by Luminia Health Products 1-800-749-9196
It is a liquid once again and combines taking care of altitude sickness
side effects and building red blood cells quickly.

The most important thing of course, is for people to drink water before
they feel thirsty.  When you are nauseated carbonated beverages make you
feel better but they also continue to dehydrate you.  If you can find it
good old Gatorade can work wonders.

And finally, you can minimize those bank charges by being careful with your planning. You don’t want to have to get money out every day. But you also don’t want to be carrying tons of cash on you as you explore foreign grounds. Think carefully about how much you legitimately need for the next 4 or 5 days, add a little to it, and get that much. And never, ever, carry all your cards, cash, and id on you at once!

Ok, I hope all this was helpful. I just think its best to plan for the worst, and hope for the best!

I very much look forward to meeting (or re-meeting) each of you in Munich or Italy, and to working with you on Ezra Pound and poetry writing at Brunnenburg in a few weeks. I hope your travel preparations are proceeding well. If you haven’t yet, please complete the travel information soon, so I will know what flight to expect you on in Munich, if you are arriving there on 19 June.

I myself will be leaving the U.S. for Europe on 26 May, so if you have any last-minute questions or concerns you wish me to address, please let me know by email or telephone (504) 482-3944 this week. I should have some email contact between 26 May and 19 June, but it may not be entirely dependable.

A couple of other reminders:

1. Please read my letter of acceptance carefully, to be sure that you will have with you the required texts (especially Pound’s Personae, The Cantos of Ezra Pound, and Ridl’s 250 Poems, as these are for daily use), as well as enough (12-15) copies of at least three of your own poems for class distribution, a notebook, etc. Check the Brunnenburg website ( http://lowres.uno.edu/brunnenburg/whattobring.htm ) and Jennifer Stewart’s blog site (http://unopress.org/blog/2008/03/18/what-to-expect-at-brunnenburg-from-the-coordinator/ ) for proper dress for the castle and Italy. Bring adaptable clothing, but remember that it can be quite cool at Brunnenburg at night, so bring at least 1-2 outer garments or layeres of clothing, in case you need them. I also recommend good walking shoes, both for Dorf Tirol and for Venice, and at least one “dressier” change of clothes for special occasions (concerts, formal dinners).

2. Remember that we will all be guests of the de Rachewiltz family, living at their home which they have opened for us for the time we will be there. Our living conditions will be simple yet comfortable, and for the month, you may want to decide to leave certain kinds of typical American contraptions (hair dryers, electric shavers, etc.) at home. As we have just learned, there is now an Internet connection at the castle itself, so bring computers/printers if you intend to use them for your own writing on site. But it may be difficult to print texts, and computers are not absolutely necessary, if you would rather leave them at home. There are also Internet cafes in nearby Merano and in Venice, and at least one computer for use in Dorf Tirol, for those who want periodically to check email in the village; telephone calls can also be made in the village. Remember to tell your family and friends here that, except for emergencies, they should only call Brunnenburg directly during our lunch hour (1-2:30 pm, Brunnenburg time, which 7-8:30 am EST and 6-7:30 am CST in the U.S.). Otherwise, you may want to purchase a cell phone in Italy, if you think it is worth the cost.

3. Traditionally, visitors to Brunnenburg come bearing modest gifts and poems to show our appreciation of the de Rachewiltz family, so it would be VERY NICE if you can manage to bring something small with you for the family. Often Brunnenburgers bring something unique that represents their home region or city, for instance. Others prefer to bring a literary gift (or even to write and/or perform music for the occasion). You certainly need not bring anything elaborate or expensive. In early July, Mary de Rachewiltz, Ezra Pound’s daughter, will be celebrating her 83rd birthday, so it will be especially appropriate to bring something for Mary; we will find an opportunity to wish her a happy birthday during our stay.
In addition, Siegfried de Rachewiltz (Pound’s grandson, known as Sizzo) and Brigitte de Rachewiltz (Sizzo’s wife and our daily chef who is famous for her fabulous cooking) will be our hosts. Sizzo is curator of the Schloss Tirol, the major castle of the South Tirol, and if we ingratiate ourselves to him, he just might give us a tour of Brunnenburg and/or Schloss Tirol; he is the leading expert on the region where we will be living. Sizzo and Brigitte have two sons, Mickey and Nick, in the early twenties, who may also be in residence, so a small family gift might be nice. Finally, Mary’s other child, her daughter Patrizia, an artist and poet who now lives in Holland, may join us during our stay.

4. As soon as possible, do let Jennifer know your travel plans, if you haven’t already, so I will know to look for you at the Munich Airport, at the Cafe Treffpunkt, located directly next to the “Meeting Point” between Concourse B and Concourse C, between 8 am and 2 pm on Monday, June 6. I myself should arrive by noon.

Our objective at Brunnenburg is to work hard and to play hard, as well as to take advantage of the unique benefits of our location, unlike any other you will find. Again, let me know soon if you have concerns. Have a safe trip.

John

John R.O. Gery, Research Professor of English
& Director, Ezra Pound Center for Literature
Department of English
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70148-2315

eBags is a website I have been using for a number of years now, in my quest to find the best bag for long haul travel.  For me, I am personally a huge fan of one of eBags own designs, the Mother Lode.  I actually CAN pack a different outfit for 30 days in this bag, which is kind of bad, because then you are really tempted to do that.  Also, fully packed, it will be quite heavy, and right at the weight limit.  However, you won’t need another bag!  I like the rolling duffel because they go down train aisles and bus aisles really well, and if you pack them wisely, you can get so much in them.  And I love the split case feature of the bag, as you can pack shoes and books and such things in the bottom, and don’t have to worry about your shoes – or toiletries – mussing up your clothes.  So anyhow, I am not getting a kickback of any sort from eBags, but I am a fan of the bag (the 25 inch one and the smaller carry on one), so I thought I’d share….

City of Meran/Merano Website
Dorf Tirol Website
Schloss Tirol

And Here’s a good place for family or friends to stay during your visit:
Mair am Ort

As always, let me know if you have any questions! Sigh. I wish I could join you all there this year!

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Ezra Pound Center for Literature!

I am a veteran of the program myself, so when I say you are in for a profound adventure I am speaking from experience. I wanted to include some information here, some of which is available on the web, and some of which is not, to help you facilitate your journey. Basically, though, I want to give you an idea of what to expect in Brunneburg.

First, Brunnenburg is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The mountains are breathtaking and the weather is generally very pleasant, perhaps even a bit cool at night. There was one night I snuggled under a down comforter, but then, I tend to be cold natured…. The castle itself is stunning, perched on the edge of a cliff, and overlooking the city of Merano. Just above it is a larger castle, Schloss Tirol (that’s Castle Tirol) named for the region in which you will be all too brief visitors. You will be residing in a 17th century farmhouse, however. The farmhouse is clean and comfortable, but it is not fancy. It is a 17th century renovation. Which means there is no internet access ladies and gentleman! So as to whether or not to bring your computer – its up to you, but I think unless you are also bringing a small travel printer (in which case you will be much loved by your fellow Brunnenburgers) it probably isn’t worth it. I had mine with me but I don’t think I used it more than twice the whole time I was there. John Gery will accept handwritten papers, and it is possible to find an internet café or two in Merano. You can also use a computer in the Dorf Tirol tourist center to check email – it’s a Euro for fifteen minutes – but you often have to wait in line for this as there are only a couple of computers available. Although it can be a bit of a shock to some people to be so disconnected, it can often be very rewarding. It helps to immerse you in the heart of what really goes on at Brunnenburg – reading and writing. And perhaps working in the vineyards, or sampling their product….

You should also prepare yourself to be sharing a bathroom with your fellow Brunnenburgers. You may want to bring a robe or covering of some kind. And please remember that in terms of the bathrooms at Brunnenburg, and indeed all other things, you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you make a mess, clean it up. Everyone is an adult at Brunnenburg, and no one should have to be responsible for cleaning up after someone else!

Located just above the castle is the little village called Dorf Tirol, lovingly referred to as THE DORF. You will have to climb a very steep hill from the castle to get into the Dorf, and even the fittest among us were winded at the top, at east in the beginning. Pack tennis shoes and/or hiking boots – you will be grateful! The Dorf is not a lively place in terms of nightlife, and there are no clubs here. There is a bar famous to Brunnenburgers called The Treft, and it can

be a great place to hang out in the evenings, but for that matter, so are the picnic tables around the castle. There are some lovely restaurants around the Dorf, and the food is quite good. Restaurants are typically either German or Italian, and you should try to sample the cuisine of both. I found that the people of the town preferred speaking German over Italian, but they understand both. Between my fledgling Italian and my friend’s decent German we managed just fine. There are also a number of people that speak, or at least understand, English. There is also a fountain in the center of town where you can fill your water bottles safely, with cool, delicious mountain spring water. There are a number of little shops in the Dorf, but these mainly cater to people who are getting ready for outdoor activities such as hiking. For other shopping, you will want to head down to Merano, where you have many more options. Every window in the town is adorned with window boxes of colorful flowers, and everywhere you look, from mountain, to valley, to window the view is nothing short of idyllic….

You may think a month sounds like a long time, but it will fly by, and be over before you know it. Your days will be quite busy, with the classes in the morning and afternoon, a brief break at lunch, and you will often have activities in the evenings as well, such as readings and other events. You will be spending a lot of time with your fellow Brunnenburgers, and bonds form quite quickly. Also because of the amount of time you will be spending with one another, tensions may begin to flare. Just remember – these are not necessarily people you will never see again. I am in close contact with almost everyone I met at Brunnenburg, and see them quite often. And I attended in 2004….

John Gery reads in Torcello, Venice

A final piece of advice I can offer you – when you go on the trip to Venice John Gery will do a walking tour. This walking tour focuses on literary events in the city, but will take you past all the great sights, and some you would never see in a weekend while exploring on your own, or even on some other tour. However, the tour will also take you to the outer islands. When I went, people fell out of the tour before the end of it on the last day. Designer shoes and handmade leather goods called their names, and one by one people disappeared from the tour. Which means they missed the island of Torcello (torch – ello). This was truly my favorite part of the tour. There were only a handful of us left at that point, and we all agreed it was one of the best parts of the entire trip. I still remember gazing upon those half neglected mosaics, and listening to john read in the grass outside the church, with an incredible vivid clarity. I am far less enamored of the 80 Euro red leather backpack I bought on my return to the main island (though its cute, don’t get me wrong …. So in other words, get your souvenirs, but don’t miss a moment of John’s Intrepid Tour of Venice and the Islands.

Finally, I just want to add that you will want to make sure that you do not plan to leave before July 18th. Even though your final exams will be on the 16th, in order to leave on the 17th you would have to leave immediately after you finish your exam, which means you would miss the Farewell Banquet, which is always quite enjoyable. So please, do yourself a favor, and give yourself leeway to attend the Banquet! You’ll be grateful in the long run!
And finally, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you plan and prepare for this journey. I believe most of you have my contact info, but my email is Jennifer.stewart@uno.edu, and my phone number is 504-280-7457. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions!