McNeese Base Camp

I've spent three very interesting nights at the McNeese Base Camp. It has been set up in the football practice field and stadium parking areas around the McNeese University football stadium. Group showers, food served under tents with a smile, lots of hand washing units with anti-bacterial dispensers. The place sleeps over 1200 in four tents. Around 350 per tent. I was in the one with the largest number of snorers, light sleepers and rude folks who left their cell phones on all night.

Lots of police. Lots of protecting the public going on. Not sure who they were protecting and from what. All armed with shiny new Glocks and impressive swat-type uniforms. Even the NYPD was represented.

Tent sleeping is an experience. My first night was spent uncomfortably trying to adapt to the cot; and all the strangers around me. Cots squeaked everytime they tossed or turned or breathed. And since folks are working around the clock here, shifts arrived and left throughout the night.

Mastered the cot the second night. Created a mattress of sorts with my sleeping bag and five carefully folded blankets. And then with carefully wedged pillows I could almost ignore the metal frame sticking me in the ribs and elbows all night.

I'm outahere. They finally found me a motel room. Good bye laundry and group showers. Goodbye portable potties. Goodbye green eggs and ham.