MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Sometimes Mobilians can be pretty critical of ourselves. But in the case of the returning Carnival Triumph passengers, it's the visitors doing the critiquing.
From the scores of emails the mayor's office is receiving, passengers of the disabled Triumph and their relatives liked the hospitality the received in Mobile. And locals are proud, too.
Tywana Buchler of Mobile wrote:
"Not only did you demonstrate some good ole fashioned southern hospitality and values by offering our home as a refuge to those who desperately needed it, but you also demonstrated our ability as citizens of Mobile to rise to the occasion and perform."
Then there's this from Scott and Sandy Cope of Riesel, Texas:
"Your city showed the great compassion and friendliness of a southern city! May God bless your city!"
Christine McNair of Jacksonville, Florida sent these words:
"I salute you and Mobile on the remarkable manner in which you handled the cruise ship crises."
The warm welcome was both a public and private venture.
Victoria Read of Oakleigh's Cream and Sugar Cafe explained why they pitched in to help. "A lot of families that came in from out of town to pick up their family members, we thought, hey! Why not do something for them and make their wait better with some cake balls," she said.
Mayor Sam Jones said most local agencies were leaned upon to offer comfort.
"We had staff people in there all the time," said Jones. "We had somebody form the chamber or the convention and visitor's bureau or county or city, this community, embracing people who had just gone through a crisis."
And although the kindness was offered without strings, there could be a big dividend.
Mayor Jones said along with many comments and emails has come this promise: We will be back to visit your city!
