Mardi Gras My Style
 |  |  |  |
| People who ask, “Why do you go to Mardi Gras every year?” don’t understand just what Mardi Gras is all about. Most think of it in terms of what they’ve seen on TVs Cops or heard through long time jokes about flashing for beads. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve heard co-workers or other friends say to me “I know how you got those!” with a little wink in my direction. To try and explain to these people that; no, they do not know how I got them because their idea of what Mardi Gras is all about is wrong in the context of my Mardi Gras. When I say Mardi Gras I’m talking about the season of revelry in New Orleans, not just Fat Tuesday. The people of the city do Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is not the city’s gift to the people, but it’s the people’s gift to the city. Because Mardi Gras is more than parades and beads, Mardi Gras is often political speech, a time for family and friends to gather, a spirit of generosity, Mardi Gras is colors, good food, good drink, , good music, and good times! For me, Mardi Gras is the one time of the year that I get together with other Mardi Gras lovers -- friends that I’ve made over the years. I get to enjoy their company, to view the spectacular parades, to attend parties, and to see a spectacular city and its people. It’s a vacation that I can take completely on my own and never once feel like I’m alone, because in New Orleans you are never alone. You become part of its family just by being there. Yes, yes, yes….if you’re in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras there is plenty of flashing and other debauchery going on. One of the wonderful things about Mardi Gras is that you participate in what you’re comfortable doing. A woman DOES NOT have to flash for beads. While men do love seeing “boobies” of all, shapes, sizes and ages, a woman does not have to flash to get some very nice beads. Plenty of men and woman are just as happy to see you there, to see you smile, to see you enjoying the city and its party that they will gladly just hand over beads – just because. So if you’re there for beads, have not worries, you will leave with beads! For me Mardi Gras has a certain essence. As a supporter of the “live and let live” motto I’m able to attend and participate in many different aspects of Mardi Gras from the family oriented parades to the parties in the French Quarter. First and foremost are the people I’ve met from all over the world while at Mardi Gras. We all share the same love of coming to the city to participate in the “Worlds Largest Free Party”. Everyone is happy, in good spirits, and interested in making your time at Mardi Gras one you will always remember. I think it’s nearly impossible to be sad while in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is colorful in terms of the actual colors – purple (symbolizes justice), green (symbolizes faith), and gold (symbolizes power); as well as in terms of the people and costumes. You meet people that in their day to day lives you would never guess that they would have the sense of humor that they display in their satirical attire at Mardi Gras. Some costumes will be extravagant and will rival any costume you might see on a Las Vegas stage or on a renaissance movie set. Others will be as simple as someone walking around with a jester hat on his head. Some people simply wear street clothes and just enjoy looking and watching those that are in costume. It’s up to you how you want to participate in Mardi Gras. The parade floats are spectacular. In my opinion they may not be as perfect as the floats you’d see in the rose parade they are even more perfect in that each of the parades has one theme and each float tells a story having to do with that theme. The people riding the floats are there for your entertainment and it costs you nothing. If you want, you can walk away from one parade with more than 50 pounds of beads. Some better than others, but still beads, and you do not flash for them! Flashing on the parade route is a big faux pas, as the parades are a family affair. You can also walk away with a special stuffed animal handed directly to you by a rider who just happens to like your smile and wants to see it again when he hands over the toy. The marching bands are in high spirits and all they want to do is perform for you, and when you’ve joined a fun loving group of people that for some unexplained reason just love to yell “Tuba, Tuba, Tuba” as the tuba players march by; you end up splitting a gut laughing and joining in the yelling just to see the players turn and smile back at you. The City of New Orleans is gorgeous in its architecture and history even if you’ve never been into architecture or history you can’t help but be awed at what you see as you walk through the streets of New Orleans. As you meet and talk to people they will give you just enough information on the particular building you’re sitting in or looking at across the street that you get an urge to know more. The people of New Orleans are proud of their city and want to share its glory with you. If you’re anything like me and live on the internet you immediately do a search and read up on the history behind the building you were just sitting in. I always walk away with a sense of awe. I think my favorite look in New Orleans is the ornate wrought iron balconies and the hidden central courtyards. You can be in the middle of the busiest part of the city and be in one of the courtyards and feel like your miles away from everyone. Food in New Orleans has that special flavor of a mix of French, Cajun, and American. I still have so many restaurants to try because I always seem to be dieting and try to avoid eating a lot of meals. Each year I try a new restaurant that I’ve heard about and I have never been disappointed. I’m also fortunate in that I have some friends that always host a group of people at a condo they rent and I eat many meals there before and after parades. Their boiled shrimp and red beans and rice are some of the best I’ve ever had not to mention the Jell-O shots. When it comes to actual restaurants during Mardi Gras I’d have to say that so far my favorite place is the Acme Oyster Bar, but that’s probably because that’s where I can sit, drink, and eat Oysters while looking out the window at all the Mardi Gras revelers passing. I must admit though there’s a special little place that I try to stop in and have Red Beans and Rice upon arriving in town, the funny thing about the place is that I know where it’s at, but I can’t tell you how to get there nor can I tell you the name of the place. Oh and of course, there’s Mother’s. If you visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras or any other time a meal at Mother’s must be on your to-do list. I happen to be partial to the sounds of sidewalk Zydeco and if you see me just kind of wandering off it’s usually because I’ve heard just a bit of Zydeco and I want to hear some more. You will have a chance to hear just about any kind of music that pleases you during Mardi Gras many of which you’ll hear right on a street corner and more at the various clubs, restaurants and bars in town. Most places have bands that are playing and you will even have the wonderful opportunity to stand on the street and listen to a street musician perform for you. When they’re not playing they are telling you about what it’s like to live in New Orleans the city they love. As the next Mardi Gras approaches I gear up to be on sensory overload. I start with the design and making of a costume for Fat Tuesday, get all giggly thinking of my body being adored with beads, drinking in the voodoo magic that fill the parades as they float by. The happiness that fills me within knowing I’ll soon be meeting with old friends, meeting new ones, and knowing that my heart will sink just a bit as I watch the New Orleans Police Department clear the revelers off of Bourbon Street at mid-night on Fat Tuesday, I will kiss New Orleans and My Mardi Gras good-bye – until next year. |
| "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!" "Let the Good Times Roll!" |
A Mardi Gras
Parade Pix
Bourbon St. Pix
French Quarter
Over 18 Only
These Links are currently under construction!