Ticket to Ride

At least once a week my Mother forwards me the Southwest Airlines ticket updates. No matter that I subscribe to these myself and have told her there's no need. Every week in my inbox, she sends it on with the question: "Did you check to see if there's a cheaper flight?"

Today I did. As it happens, I now have a credit to go round-trip to anywhere Southwest flies. And I am therefore stumped. For about a year I've been thinking about New Orleans, I've been wanting to do a Habitat for Humanity volunteer program there in St. Bernard's Parish. I have the free ticket, but funds for a place to stay are still an issue, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'm a more than a little fearful of taking off by myself and heading into a new city. Perhaps that is exactly why I should go. Any suggestions?

In the meantime, Brian's pictures from the Aquarium are much better than mine...