Its cold and raining this Fat Tuesday morning, and the kids and I are snuggled up playing board games and watching the parades on TV. We unfortunately had to send Dada off to work, but gave him a few beads to keep his spirits up for his ride in.
After attending 6 parade days/nights over the span of two weeks, we are a little Mardi Gras exhausted. But what an amazing event to be a part of! I'm not going to pretend that I know everything that's happening during Mardi Gras. The whole experience in so steeped in tradition, I liken it to a fraternity that has some activities for the public but so much more happening behind the scenes. (For example, while some kings are given the key to the city by the mayor, others keep their monarchs sworn to secrecy and wear masks along with all the parade riders.) Before I moved to New Orleans, I thought Mardi Gras was a bunch of drunk people vying for the best beads while trying to avoid pick pockets and sketchy people in masks. While that does exist (and is a thriving tourist industry for the city) there is so much more going on across the city….
Feb 22nd
For our first parade, we were in awe. The kids rode an emotional wave throughout the night, going from being overjoyed with the toys they got, to overwhelmed and quietly just watching the floats go by. Livi was christened when she was hit with some beads, and Oscar learned that not everyone is going to throw to you, even though you're a really cute kid. We also learned that while a few strands of beads are fun to catch, not all beads and throws are created equal (for example, blinky things at night parades are highly coveted). Everything has the "thing" they want to catch, from animals to coozies to doubloons to plastic cups…. Within a few floats passing by, we found ourselves actually trying to avoid beads and shouting out for animals and toys. For our second parade, both kids realized that standing in the rain may not be worth a few strands of beads, but when the clouds clear and a lot of revelers have left the float riders start feeling generous, having numerous toys thrown to you is joy upon joy.
Feb. 26th
We had a few days break and then the night parades kicked in. The first was Wednesday with Nyx, a spin off of the ever popular Muses parade. Both of these parades are put on by Krewes of only women, and since Muses was so popular, they started Nyx to allow more women to be in a Krewe. While men can perform within the parade (dancing and in the bands) only women are in the Krewe that organizes the floats and throw the beads. Livi went home early with Oscar after the first parade of the night (Krewe of Druids) but Oscar and I stuck around for Nyx. It which ended up being one of my fav parades, with fewer people and great bands. Each parade has something special to throw and Nyx has purses. We got a few, but gave the most special one to our neighbor Laura since she went home early to cook dinner while her husband David stayed to help Oscar get some good stuff! Don't worry, we got our fair share of fun glowy stuff and pink and orange themed stuffed toys!
 |
| it can get loud with the sirens and bands passing by so closely |
 |
| Oscar and David working their magic |
Feb 27th
The next night was Muses, the first all woman Krewe. EVERYONE came out for this one! While the parade was as fun and exciting as the last, this ended up being one of my least favorite. It was just a little too many people, and parades were starting to blend…
 |
| Livi and her friend Zoe hanging out pre-parade |
 |
Happy Mardi Gras! Livi tried one of the ladders
before the parade started (more on those in another post)
but was much happier when one of us was holding her |
 |
| beautiful insects at the beginning of Muses |
 |
| werewolf flambeaux! |
Feb. 28th - Livi's Birthday!!
We were all a bit parade weary, but we really wanted to make it out on Friday night, especially since there was a satirical parade with a skeleton theme - Krewe D'etat. It was also Livi's birthday!!! Livi and I had a fun day out shopping while the boys were at school and work.
 |
| making Gigi's cake! |
When the boys got home, we headed out to a friend's house for a pre-parade party and checked out a few floats staged along the way. Oscar dressed the part in his skeleton pajamas
and grim reaper costume.
 |
| Livi picked this float out to pose with |
 |
| The grim reaper obliged for a photo op, but only if his face wasn't showing |
 |
| The only pic we got of the skeletons that started off the parade! |
No comments:
Post a Comment