Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is New Orleans own special holiday. The entire city shuts down while the rest of the country operates just like it is any other day. Mardi Gras is hard to comprehend without actually experiencing it firsthand. Most people who live outside of the state (or at least everyone I talked to) do not realize that Mardi Gras is more than just a one day celebration. People were confused, and then amazed, when I kept talking about going to parades for a good two weeks. Trying to explain to them that there was more than one parade a night (sometimes up to three back to back!) confused them even more. Then questions came on how the parades were different, who paid for them and what they were like quickly followed.

My favorite parade of the Mardi Gras season was Muses. They were by far one of the larger and magnificently done parades, which is all even more impressive knowing that they are a more recently formed Krewe. The all female Krewe had different and interesting throws, elaborately decked out floats, and most importantly -- shoes! The Krewe is known for their signature item of handing out shoes. These are not just any shoes, mind you. They are decorated with glitter, ribbon and gems. Sintha and I were each able to catch two, bringing the total for the group to four, enough for us each to get one. The type of shoes also have a wide range; I caught the cutest kid shoe and a flip flop, while Sintha caught a high heel and a platform. Along with shoes they threw "re-musable" shopping bags, handheld electric fans with words spinning across it, watches,

My first Mardi Gras was definitely a unique experience and I highly recommend everyone experience it at least once in their lifetime.

The Curious Case of Sinthujah Valuminuminum

So I stole Shadoe’s exact blue print for the brief biodata. Haha thanks Shadoe.

Name: Sintha
Age: Deuce-deuce in May =/
Hometown: in the Carolinas. Actually, my hometown is in South Carolina but I first lived in North Carolina after moving to the U.S. from Sri Lanka so I always feel the need to rep both Carolinas.
Major: Anthropology and Psychology
Why I came to New Orleans: To see what I’ve been missing.
Currently extremely distracted by: Mardi Gras cups. You have no idea. Hell, I have no idea.
Semester internship: The Advocacy Center; helping senior citizens understand the benefits/disadvantages they’ll face if they decide to return to the work force. There are some very interesting case stories I’ve heard.
Favourite thing about New Orleans so far: Everyone has a laid back attitude.
Least favourite thing about New Orleans: This compelling feeling to attempt as many different restaurants as possible down here.

Currently watching: ...Jacqui watch her laptop. Maybe an episode of How I Met Your Mother?
Currently listening to: Alanis Morissette You Oughta Know

A tiny taste of Mardi Gras

Coming to New Orleans and talking with locals, all we heard was how excited they were for us to be here during Mardi Gras. "Oh, you all are going to have so much fun. Mardi Gras...it just transforms you; you can be anyone you want." What are you really supposed to take from hearing that a hundred times? Haha. Naturally, we had some doubts about how wild this Carnival thing really is. I think the group mindset we all fell into was to let Mardi Gras happen and see if it really lived up to the hype. Well, did it?

This year was the first time I've experienced Mardi Gras (aside from king cake in my high school French class, but that was more like an excuse not to have class).  Turns out, there's more to the celebration than beads and breasts. There’s a whole 'nother, much larger and family friendly side to Mardi Gras. Far from and completely overshadowed by the festive debauchery that is Bourbon Street, are the parades; the magnificent, omnipresent, exhausting, parades down St. Charles and Canal. Literally, next to that thread you know you shouldn’t be pulling out of your favourite sweater, I would say the Mardi Gras parades are the next best definition of ‘endless.’ Imagine, standing in one spot, for at least an hour—for the smallest parades—watching a series of floats pass. There were 25+ of these parades, and somehow Sintha and Jacque caught every single one. It’s definitely not a sport for the weak, but they did it, collecting a plastic cup from nearly every parade.

 I can already tell this is going to be a huge post, even as I’m leaving out so much. 

Anyway, the essence of these parades is to collect as much of the nonsense the floaters throw your way. It literally brings out the best and the worst of people. I saw one man toss a stuffed animal to a little girl, but when it slipped out of her hands and fell on the ground next to her, there waited an older kid with his foot crushing it for himself. Then again, I never liked the beads myself, so as I caught them I handed them to the girls or the nearest little kid. Yesterday, one little boy saw I didn’t have any beads and offered me his. He was so cute. 

After the parades, the streets are an absolute mess. It looks like a mini hurricane has destroyed the streets and the area in between known as the neutral ground. A lot of people stick around to grill out, toss their new Krewe d’Etat football or just hang out. After the Endymion parade finished, we somehow ended up jump roping with these little kids.  No one knows for sure how it happened, but it was a lot of fun. This picture captures the scene perfectly. 

Sadly, I'm cutting this analysis short for the sake of me getting any sleep. I've got so much to say about these topics, so more on the parades, the rest of Mardi Gras and New Orleans hotspots later. I will say that Mardi Gras was ... an experience. Not as crazy as everyone made it out to be, yet somehow, it still was. I made an effort to avoid being "transformed," and simply watch the parades from the outside. Well, until today when I saw someone getting a prized Zulu coconut. Then I just had to get one for myself and everyone around me. Carnival in New Orleans really is impossible to put into words. To get the best sense, you'll just have to come down and experience it for yourself. 

p.s. tonight in the Quarter, Sintha found and convinced this self-proclaimed redneck from Williamston, NC to give her (and then directly to me) his Confederate flag beads. I’ve had my eye on those since we got to New Orleans, and finally got a free pair on the last night. Nice! I owe you one, haha.

Currently watching: Firecracker prank

Currently listening to: T.I. Paper Trail

N.O. HOT SPOTS

So as the Mardi Grad weekend comes to a close I figured I would just give you all a highlight of two of the many hot spots I have visited in the past few days.

On Saturday before the Endymion parade I walked down Magazine Street and came upon the Buffalo Exchange. You can buy barely used name brand clothes for really cheap and they even have a few Mardi Gras costumes. The store's open everyday from about 11 am to 7 pm and is located by the intersection of Louisiana and Magazine Street. Here's the link to the Buffalo Exchange Website!


These are the heels I bought for $7 at Buffalo Exchange!


Anyway, a friend of mine from Chapel Hill was visiting for the weekend and he really wanted to try a New Orleans poboy. For those who don't know... a poboy is like a sub sandwich with whatever meats and dressings you want. On Monday afternoon we walked to Magazine Po-boy and Sandwich Shop on Magazine Street. We both got the shrimp poboys with all of the dressings and they were really good!!! They also have rice and beans (my favorite dish!) that come with a salad or green beans that I really want to try!! Although the store closes at 4:30 pm, I would definitely recommend this restaurant for breakfast or lunch. They have a variety of poboys and other plates available! GO THERE and see for yourself!


Mardi Gras is just about over and I am relishing in the pounds of beads and stuffed animals that are covering my bed right now. Anyone who wants beads, LET ME KNOW!