It’s that time of year again when drunkenness and debauchery is not only allowed, but required!
Whoo hoo!
As many of you know, I love, love, LOVE to travel. Unfortunately, I have yet to find myself in The Big Easy, but that is not to say Nawlins is not on my travel bucket list. I can say with all confidence that I truly believe I will find a home away from home when my meanderings finally take me there. How can you NOT love a city filled with amazing food, even more amazing music, and this?
Ooohhhh, pretty.
Since the dollars are whipping around my brain at light speed this morning, (can anyone say Wine and Dine registration opens today?), I don’t have the attention span to go into a lengthy history of Mardi Gras. Thanks to the ever-handy internet, let’s just suffice it to say it has something to do with French-Canadian explorers, bull heads, and bourbon. Along with some very strange looking nuts…
Don’t even want to know what that guy on the right is supposed to be.
For the 2.7 seconds I was able to focus on the traditions of Mardi Gras, I did find it rather hilarious that there are actually a number of articles as to why women flash themselves in an attempt to obtain the ever-popular beads. Who knew?
You want me to WHAT?!
Drunkenness and debauchery aside, you have to admire a city that was able to come back after a beat down by Mother Nature. Hurricane Katrina passed through south Florida as little more than a tropical storm. Which, let’s face it, after Hurricane Andrew, a little rain and wind doesn’t do much to strike fear in the hearts of south Floridians. After a few days of brewing in strength over the warm waters of the Gulf, Katrina was loaded for bear when she pounced upon the woefully unprepared party city.
Sadly, the storm seemed to bring out the worst in people. Every night you would hear news stories about pets being shot in front of their faithful owners who refused to leave them behind. Beatings, rapes, and even murders seemed to become commonplace inside the Superdome. Looters were seen pushing overflowing shopping carts out of grocery stores left standing, never paying for a thing. Burglaries, robberies, assaults, and seemingly every horrible act possible dominated the news every night. Then, the indomitable spirit of the amazing New Orleans residents once again proved to be unbeatable. Neighbors came together to rebuild. And rebuild they did.
Post Katrina
A community comes together.
If any city deserves to throw a party to end all parties, it’s definitely the birthplace of jazz. So as you go about your day, keep this incredible city and it’s even more incredible people in mind. And as your day comes to a close, I don’t think anyone would mind if you raised a Sazerac or a Ramos Fizz in their honor.
Happy Mardi Gras everyone! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Enjoy the ride.
How will you be celebrating on this fine, Fat Tuesday?
