In 2012, we were given the opportunity to spend a weekend with friends in the unofficial U.S. Capitol of Mardi Gras celebrating the events of Fat Tuesday. When we were asked if we wanted to spend a weekend in NoLa for Mardi Gras, we couldn't pass up the invite from one of Chase's co-workers who is a Louisiana native. He actually owned a home in Baton Rouge so we decided to take advantage of our proximity and drive there for the weekend. Friday through Sunday, we made the 90 minute commute into New Orleans for the festivities. It does sound like a lot of driving but the free room and board in Baton Rouge more than made up for it. Plus Chase's co-worker came with us and showed us the ropes of the city.
I (Danielle) had visited the city once before when I was younger but this was Chase's first time in New Orleans. Visiting during Mardi Gras made for a different experience. With so many people in the streets and areas blocked off for parades, we found ourselves restricted to the French Quarter and Canal Street. Obviously, the city could still be explored but it took a lot more work to get from one street to the next so we mingled around the Bourbon Street area. We caught beads flying from balconies, drank Hurricanes - the traditional Mardi Gras cocktail, and found ourselves indulging in Gumbo and Cajun cuisine. It felt like every hour a new parade was making its way down Canal Street so we would hurry up to the barricades to see the intricate details of each float, many of them decorated in the Fat Tuesday colors, purple, gold, and green. Every parade has a theme and the floats tend to reflect that theme. The riders, called the krewe members wear masks and throw beads, cups, and other trinkets for the crowds to catch. We attended a couple of the big parades (Bacchus being one of them) and Will Farrell, the Grand Marshal, chucked a bag of golden beads right to Chase! <--Photo above! All in all, NoLa really knows how to throw a party and it is a trip we won't soon forget. We both agree going back and exploring the city's culture on a more low key weekend would be well worth it. We hope to get back to the Big Easy soon to enjoy some more Creole food and live Jazz. Until Next Time, C + D
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorChase & Dani here, providing Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|