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Kurt Is keeping a journal of his travels to the Game
DAY 1: THURSDAY
Our first day here (in New Orleans) was a good one. We had a really good practice - everyone was executing and playing with speed. I was very encouraged by that.
We practiced at the Saints' practice facility in their indoor building because of all the wind outside. We dressed in the locker rooms at Tulane - also nice - and came back and used their weight room after practice. At practice, there were four busses for our team and coaches but six busses full of media there to film us - that was quite a sight! You can tell we are building up to the national championship game.
Our hotel is nice but huge - it's easy to get lost with all the hallways and meeting areas. The hotel (Hilton) looks right out on the Mississippi River - every so often, you look up and see a cruise ship or one of those old-time paddleboats sailing by, which is interesting. We haven't had a chance to see much of the areas hit by the hurricanes and floods yet, but our bus drivers tell us some facts as we drive to practice. I would like to see some of the areas that are still rebuilding to get a sense of how vast the destruction was. Lots of people from New Orleans come up to us and say thanks for coming here - we need the tourists - so that makes us feel good the BCS game is also helping them get back to normal.
Some guys have been out for a walk along the river and toward the French Quarter, but last night when we had free time, I mostly just watched film and tried to get off my feet. We only have a few days left to prepare for the national championship and we don't want to let any of it go to waste.
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