The most popular place for lunch in Lafayette last Wednesday wasn’t a restaurant. It was the Cajundome, where 11,000 of my neighbors and I ended up for the big Rally for Economic Survival. I live only blocks away, so I thought I would stroll on over and talk to people about the experience and why they had given up their normal lunch trips for the event.

Things changed.

I’m a full-time staff photographer for The Daily Advertiser, and I was called to duty. Realizing I would have to work the rally from doors open to close, I wasn’t sure if I could squeeze in time to do this new column’s mission — capturing the mid-day sights and sounds at various locations in the parish.

I weaved among the throngs of people taking photos as they shuffled in and up into the seats. Some were in groups wearing T-shirts that said everything from “Drill, Baby, Drill” to the more tame, but to-the-point, “Let Us Work.”

Dozens of children attempted to keep warm in the chill of the ’dome by huddling in their seats with their knees tucked into the free, one-size-fits-all rally T-shirts that were handed out at the door.

I also I kept my eyes peeled for what was being served at the concession stands and chatted with Billie Goodman, an Artisan Creative Catering employee who was dishing out bowls of steamy chicken and sausage jambalaya.

She told me the Southern dish was extremely popular. The continuous lines of people at the jambalaya booths confirmed she knew what she was talking about, but I was still left wondering, “Why is there no seafood at this rally?”

I half-expected to see Gulf shrimp and oyster po’boys or at least shrimp in the jambalaya. You know, in support of the Gulf seafood industry.

I caught Greg Davis, director of the Cajundome, out in the lobby during the noon hour, and asked him, straight up, “Why aren’t you all serving seafood?”

“We wanted to come up with something that was easy to turn over because we expected a lot of people,” he said. “Our chef came up with the chicken and sausage jambalaya.” Nachos, hot dogs and other concession staples were also available. I thanked him for his time and just before he walked away, he turned back, cupped his hand around his mouth and half-jokingly whispered, “Chicken’s also cheaper.”

Goodman also told me they usually only sell seafood during the Lenten season. Since I’ve also worked in the food service industry, I understand the importance of keeping costs down and the menus consistent.

Louisiana seafood didn’t go unrepresented at the rally, however. There was a Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board booth out in the lobby, and rally-goers stopped by for books, pamphlets, stickers and to make donations.

As the rally moved into the noon hour, I had a little more free time, so I walked outside to check on the influx of people I expected to see stopping by the rally. No luck there. More people were leaving than coming in. By that time, the rally was nearly over, and I suppose even a free Sammy Kershaw concert couldn’t draw more people away from their sacred hour of rushing to the post office, quick workouts, power naps and fast food.

Which brings me to the future of this column. Where do you spend your lunch hour? I’m not looking to write about the obvious, so restaurants are out for this space. But if you go somewhere interesting or unique for your lunch break, I want to know. E-mail suggestions or stories to lwestbrook@theadvertiser.com

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