Pray to the God of Beads!
Okay, how can I describe New Orleans during Mardi Gras? It's a little bit chaos, a little bit crowded, and a whole lot of debauchery! It really has to be seen to be believed. It is one of those memories that you wish could be unseen, but at the same time wish you could relive over and over again. Try Las Vegas "sin city" and times that by a thousand. Try Halloween gone crazy. Try party of a lifetime!
Ain't no Catholics here on Fat Tuesday!
If you are like me and love people-watching, then you will have certainly come to the right place to stare. I wasn't aware that Mardi Gras was also a costume parade so all I had were beads to show some spirit for the occasion. Just a heads up to anyone thinking of going there, wear the most random costume you can find! The crazier the better. There were people dressed as pirates, bananas, boobs, robots, drag queens, lobsters, and even a dark angel on stilts. Yes. It's a place where anything goes. The weirder you are the more a part of the festivities you will feel.
Stare away
When you think of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, most people think of Bourbon Street. I must say, at least during the Fat Tuesday celebrations, this was the most sensory overloaded places I've experienced thus far. I literally could only stay on that street for maybe forty minutes. After that, I got tired of maneuvering over huge piles of trash and beads and dodging brightly colored half naked bodies. At one point it was so crowded I decided to dive into a random bar just to take a break from walking. I looked up and saw two men dancing on the bar in red speedos. Yes, I had found myself in the gay section of Bourbon street. At least it was something nice to look at! This was one of the funnest sections of the street. Everything seemed a little bit louder, a little bit crazier, and a little bit less clothing.
Now, luckily I was with a companion to help guide me along and share in my Mardi Gras journey. Charlie had flown in from Arizona to join me. We walked along the mighty Mississippi river, listened to street musicians, and sampled the local cuisine. The French Quarter District is so filled with life. There is something to see and something to do around every corner. One street musician caught my attention especially. He was standing on a corner with a steel drum playing today's top hits. He was so good at playing this instrument it reminded me of the last time Charlie and I had come to New Orleans for a Habitat for Humanity rebuild a few years back. That time was a lot calmer, since it was in August, and there was more time to hear street musicians and jazz bands play throughout the French Quarter. I had stopped outside of a jazz bar and was handed a washboard to hang around my neck. With a pair of spoons people began to play along with the music on the washboard. It was one of the coolest experiences that I'm glad someone took a video of!
Prawns and cajun spiced potatoes...Yum!
Now lets talk food. Obviously the food was mouthwatering. I recommend Cafe Du Monde on Decatur Street. This is the original location of Cafe Du Monde which was established in 1862. If they have been around that long, they must be doing something right! Of course everyone goes there for their beignets. Also, try to experience the smaller bars and restaurants off of Bourbon street. These places may look like a hole in the wall (because they are) but they usually produce the best po' boy sandwiches! A good dive bar that we went to both times we were in New Orleans was called the Alibi on the corner of Bourbon and Iberville. Awesome shrimp po' boys!
Take a walk down the side streets
New Orleans is one of the greatest cities to party in. It's a whole other world and it's easy to find yourself having a great time. There is just this sense of comradery. Everyone is your party buddy!
Make a friend!
Now that I can scratch Mardi Gras off of the bucket list, it's on to more excitement throughout the southern half of the U.S.
Next up, Mississippi!
~Kelsey P.
