So... I’m in New Orleans. Last weekend I saw my first Mardi Gras parade. Last night I saw my first nighttime parade. It was all cool. But I didn’t quite get the thrill of it. Particularly since I wasn’t buzzed, and I don’t have a kid.Tonight, I was hanging with David Simon, and he explained that you have to get into the whole thing of catching beads and other “throws” which the float riders toss to the begging crowd.
Well, at the Krewe of Hermes parade a few hours ago, I caught my first set of beads on the fly. Yeah, it was fun. It didn’t unleash my inner child, but I kinda get it now.
The best part was hearing Simon tell tales of parades past. That cat knows how to Mardi Gras.
So glad you are enjoying or did enjoy New Orleans. I've been many times; a couple 'during' Mardi Gras. There 'is' a certain thrill in wanting to catch beads. However, I will share that during their Italian-American parade festival which happens either before Mardi Gras season or after, I had a lot of fun. They had parades and I received a kiss from a gent in the front seat of a convertible full of Italian-American gents completely sloshed. And it wasn't a typical kiss, no, but a little sticker thingy that he stuck to my stomach. LOL. It was...weird, but with my third Hurricane in my hand, I experienced an interesting 'thrill' to say the least. But then I also got beads as they were throwing them too. Lagniappe!
ReplyDeletehey, there's a documentary about mardi gras in Mobile, Al and how segregated it is coming on PBS some time soon.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to go to Mardi Gras. No flashing tho, like chris rock says "20 year old titty is community titty; 40 year old titty is your man's titty."
... but with my third Hurricane...
ReplyDeleteHeh. The hotel I'm at is very wary of "Hurricane" damage; they won't let folks bring one into the building off the street.
The layer of garbage and stickiness that accumulated on the streets of the Quarter yesterday -- four days out from Mardi Gras -- blew my mind.
It's all about letting go. Being in the moment, no one is watching. Enjoy yourself, chere! Bonne chance...
ReplyDeleteI'd like to go to Mardi Gras. No flashing tho...
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need to get out there and flash my moobs. Get in the groove of things...
Let me say this too: Never mind the drunken masses at night. A walk through the French Quarter on a Sunday morning is a beautiful American experience.
ReplyDeleteDuck into a coffee shop heading one way... pop into a corner grocery for some carryout gumbo on the way back...
Ask an old busker to blow a little "St. James Infirmary" on his trombone...
Peeping the art and the antiques in the shop windows...
Just lovely.
A walk through the French Quarter on a Sunday morning is a beautiful American experience.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. :)
Congratulations on your bead catch. When I was there, they only threw them to the kids and the tall, busty blondes. My friend and I had to tart ourselves up a little for the 2nd night. We had better luck :)
ReplyDeleteYour next challenge is the coconuts from the Zulu crew. They don't throw those for obvious reasons. You have to walk up to the float, if the police will let you. They seem to get all the coconuts.
I'm so jealous! Enjoy!