While I don't remember how we answered, it should have gone like this:
"Well, did you go to Christmas?" because you can't really "go" to Mardi Gras. There is a season called Carnival, but a lot of us call the whole thing Mardi Gras. Mardi gras is a time, and the things that happen in it. Mardi Gras is used as an adjective to describe a type, more than it used to describe a place, or a thing. Ex: A Mardi Gras Parade, Mardi Gras Colors, a Mardi Gras drink, or that Mardi Gras song. In fact, here's my favorite Mardi Gras song, and if you're wonderin', why yes, there is whole sub-genre of Mardi Gras music:
So go ahead and enjoy the hell out of the song because I know I have. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Mardi Gras can't simply be gone to, it's not just a place or a parade, it's surely not about boobs, it's a state of mind. It's in our houses, our music, and the way we walk. Mardi Gras is here, and yet beyond us. While I'm probably getting myself in trouble here, Mardi Gras has something to do with the Kingdom of Heaven metaphor we like to banter about. **Steps down from soapboax** So now that my rather lame attempt to educate people about Mardi Gras is over, we can talk about what it is that I have done.
I went to the Krewe du Vieux parade, on Jan. 19th (Mardi Gras officially starts on Jan. 6th, Epiphany baby) which I won't talk about or post pictures of, you simply have to go and experience it for yourself. If you want an idea of what it's like (Warning: XXX-Rated) you can check it out here. Suffice it to say, it was a really really good time. And Roger Goodell still sucks out loud.
Krewe of Barkus (which is poking-fun of the Super-Krewe, Bacchus) is a dog parade. People dress up their dogs and of course themselves, and try to fit the whole thing into this year's theme, which was Honey Boo Boo, for serious. But in classic New Orleans style, it's also a whole lot more. The parades are interspersed with live bands, dance troupes, and general frivolity, also specific frivolity, like dogs in tutus.
Top right: Honey Bow Wow. Bottom left: Sweet Mardi Gras Decor on a house in the French Quarter. |
Anyway, this past weekend I went to yet another set of parades, but this time I wasn't even in New Orleans. Yes, the party spreads out over all of Gulf South, and even the home of the original American Mardi Gras, Mobile, AL. But I didn't make it that far, I made it to Metairie, LA. If you ever wondering where you can find the local Chili's, Chipotle, or Panera, you have to drive "all the way" out to Metairie, about 15 min. from uptown. I saw the Krewe of Excalibur, and the Krewe of Atlas. Metairie parades are family affairs, and there are lots of children - EVERYWHERE. And in the Spirit of Southern Louisiana one of the parades "broke down" for 2 1/2 hours. So we stood in the neutral ground (Yankees, read: median) and partied for a few hours, while we waited for the parades. So, Keep Calm and Mardi Gras On!
And if you get the chance, come out for some parades and a damn good time.
Yeah You Right, Joe.
Awesome post Joe! So many people don't understand that Mardi Gras isn't just about a place or time or boobs, but more about the feeling that we all get deep down when it has finally arrived. That is a great Mardi Gras song. I can't wait to get down all weekend, and by weekend I mean thursday until next tuesday. Hopefully I see you at a parade because I still owe you a "slap the bag" from midsummer mardi gras.
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