Mardi Gras

As we strolled the French Quarter today, we realized that we really don't know when mardi gras actually is.  Mardi gras or "fat Tuesday" is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday that is the first day of Lent.  So, it's the last big bash before we all start fasting or sacrificing for Lent.  This year it is February 12th.  When we heard today on the street that "the parades start next weekend", we learned that the mardi gras carnival season is actually starting Janurary 19th - next weekend!  No wonder everyone is acting so crazy!  They can't wait!  The parades are put on by social clubs throughout New Orleans and various communities.  There is an organized schedule of events now but when the parades began in the 1850's, it was more random.  There is usually one main parade everyday starting next weekend, some days more than one.  This year, they will pause the parade activity from January 28th-Febraury 5th due to Super Bowl XLVII, which takes place on February 3rd.

Your local friendly Walgreens drug store has a whole mardi gras section!  It's hard not to get "into" it when you're here!  But I can't say I've ever been to a mardi gras party in my life living so far away up North!  It would be fun, though.  We've seen signs about the Super Bowl saying "Expect Mayhem!" I can't imagine…Super Bowl and mardi gras!  CRAZY!  The city has Super Bowl "footballs" all over to make sure people don't forget.

And the footballs are always decorated differently.

It almost makes us feel like we want to come back for the craziness now that we're so close. But then again, it might be nice watching it all from the comforts of my own home, too.   We are getting a pretty good feel for it being here right now.