Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Mardi Gras madness


It's over.


Final Mardi Gras score:
Parades attended: 18
Parades participated in: 5
Got Muses shoe: Yes
Got Nyx purse: Yes
Got Sirens Bottle: Yes
Got Zulu coconut: No. :-(
Got other unique/hand-made throws: Yes
Quantity of beads and other throws: >50lbs (I was more selective this year and gave more away)
Injuries: minor only
Rained on: 4 days
Hangovers: None
Fights: None (shouting at fools doesn't count)

So many parades, each with different themes.

I missed Hermes parade because my boss wouldn't let me skip the night unless I skipped getting paid. She's such a slave driver, that one.

Krewe d'etat is political, and pretty conservative. This one rips on Mayor Mitch Landrieu just for being a slug.

This one tore at the pansy football players and their kneeling...and the execs who let them do it.
This one, "Medusa" was all about Kathy Griffith.


The Antifa were not spared, either.

Then it was the Morpheus parade.

Next night out, I hit Endymion in Mid-City.
I was usually much closer, but couldn't get pics from where I was due to the crowds and light.




Here's one float from the Orpheus parade.



Three trailers long. Double-decker, with riders on both levels, both sides. 36 floats like this in a typical parade, with a marching band and/or walking or dance group in between each one. This parade will take hours to travel 4-5 miles, and there will be 2-3 or these a night, just on that route. Local communities around the areas each have their own in addition to these.





Then the clean-up comes. It's so organized that once these crews start, twenty minutes later you won't even know a parade has been here.
Yesterday morning, pretty much everyone turned out in costume, drink in hand, to revel. This was over in the Bywater neighborhood.

The French Quarter was worse. SO much to see and do--no matter what you go see, you have to miss 2-3 other things. But for you, I kept on for as long as I could, starting at 0600 and getting home at 2230-ish.


Done.


Fortunately it's just a month to St. Patrick's day...and more parades!

8 comments:

  1. It was a beautiful Mardi Gras day.

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  2. Too much fun, Murph!

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  3. Thank you for the report. I've been looking forward to it.

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    Replies
    1. PS, what is a "Zulu Coconut"?

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    2. Most parade krewes have a signature throw--something unique that they toss to the crowds. The Krewe of Zulu tosses coconuts that they've removed the husk from and painted with various designs, logos or images. Quite collectible and prized catches.

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  4. I did Mardi Gras when I was 23. I can't imagine doing it now.

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    Replies
    1. You just need to pace yourself. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

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  5. Thanks for the pics! And the 'efforts' you put in to provide them for us! :-D

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