“Referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.”
“Hey Mister, Throw Me Something!”
Anyone who has had the incredibly enjoyable, mind numbing experience of being in New Orleans during the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, knows that its not just a one day event… Its not for people who might be touched by Enochlophobia: Having the Fear of Crowds… And at times, its not for the faint of heart.
There’s the Parades, the Food, the Floats, the Beads, the Dabloons, the Music, the Party and the enevitable… waking up the next afternoon asking friends if you had a good time the night before, because after the third Jägermeister or Peppermint Schnapps [as beer chasers] you don’t remember much at all!
I have participated a few times, usually with the same group of friends, who’s sole purpose of inviting me [not really] was for comic relief.
I’m a “card carrying” light weight, when it comes to alcohol and it’s consumption!
This band of hard core revelers, my very first time, started off on foot, with the intent of hitting just about every bar on a chosen cross street between Esplanade en route to Canal.
FOURTEEN BLOCKS!
Did I mention there are SIX cross streets and usually at least one bar per block?
Each night, a different cross street… each night by the time we left the second or third bar I was, “well on my way”!
Did we ever reach Canal Street? I don’t know…
But, “the Verdi Mart is open 24/7 and they deliver!”
“Its All About the Beads!”
There is more to Mardi Gras then “Lost Evenings” and the dulling of one’s neuro transmitters or reseptors…
One year, I worked late and caught a red eye flight to New Orleans, only to arrived dog tired in need of sleep. I awoke very early the next morning, in serious need of coffee. My friend Rob, in from a bar run, proceeded to take me to Café du Mode, where I slowly regained a measure of consciencness after my sleep.
It must have been about 3 am… It was quiet and cool as the space heaters were flaring… We were on the patio at Café Du Monte having Coffee and Beignets…
You could hear the rippling sounds coming from the mighty Mississippi and everyone spoke in a hushed whisper, as if some reverence was being imparted, then it happened…
Off in the distance, from some unknown destination came the melodic, notes from a clarinet just drifting and hanging in the morning air… Blues!
“Hey, Show Me Your…” [ Insert body part of choice here! ]
Another time, I believe it was the mid-nineties, when Anne Rice’s, “Interview with a Vampire” had been released… New Orleans had completely embraced the novel, the Chronicles and the movie…
I had split off that night, from my band of reveling friends, wishing to have an evening that was more then just a blur the following day.
I found myself outside on the second story balcony of a bar engaged in conversation with a group gathered there amongst the carnival decorations.
Looking down the cross street, I noted wisps of fog floating over the quiet buildings…
I commented to one of my fellow partiers, a young woman with long brown hair, that the fog added not only a measure of soft tranquility to the scene, but also somewhat an air of mystery.
It was only then that I noted a few of the people I was engaged in conversation with, seemed to have fangs.
[No, I’m not kidding!]
After glancing once and then twice around the gathered group, I complemented them on their costumes and the visual effect.
The woman with long brown hair responded with, “What costumes?”
I followed with… “Really?”
Our conversation continued and that group eventually drifted off and was replaced with a new one.
I again looked down the street and marveled at the fog and wished I had a camera that could capture the picture before my eyes.
I left the balcony and the bar and headed back towards my lodgings, which meant a stroll through the gathering fog… My mind replayed my chance encounter with that group of people… I pondered the imagination of Anne Rice… and I will admit that I briefly wondered if Lestat or Louis might indeed be out there.
“Eating Mud Bugs and Olive Spread”
My last trip there, the comment was made, that we didn’t seem to be drinking nearly as much as in times before…
Perhaps we had grown to respect our livers a little better.
We did however participate, revel and enjoy!
I could not begin to list all the establishments of note, where the fun, food and service were exceptionally good.
However, if you find yourself in New Orleans, a few places you may wish to consider are Irene’s Cuisine [Cajun Italian] on St. Philip and out in the avenues, The Commanders Palace.
[Well worth wearing a jacket and tie for!]
When you place your order there… Order the Bread Pudding Soufflé for desert.
A third establishment… I wish I could remember with certainty, the name of that place just outside the French Quarter that serves a HUGE satisfying southern breakfast… [Sorry, you can keep the grits!] I think its called, La Peniche, but I’m not certain. Breakfast was a time for recovery from the night before and I had enough trouble with English at that hour, let alone French.
“Purple = Justice, Green = Faith & Gold = Power”
This year, my plans for homemade chicken and sausage gumbo are in place, maybe some nice greens… The King Cake and Pralines are ordered and anticipated delivery is sometime before Mardi Gras.
As the time draws near, I’ll occasionally log on to the NOLA website and check out their live web cams of all the revelers and review photo captures and clips of the parades…
I’ll recall those memories that are at least somewhat clear of past Mardi Gras I’ve attended; pop open a bottle of red wine to toast those memories and absent friends.
Laissez les bon temps rouler! = Let the good times roll!
“I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans.” Mark Twain
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