Things I Learned This Mardi Gras
As in years past, Mardi Gras has been a surreal and magical experience. The atmosphere in New Orleans is different for a week and a half in a way that is very hard to explain. This year’s Mardi Gras has offered me some new pieces of insight.
Nothing will come close to Lombardi Gras
Mardi Gras last year came the week after the Saints won the Super Bowl for the first time. The ensuing two week period was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. As exciting as Mardi Gras was this year and freshman year, I am hard pressed to imagine a future Carnival competing with last years. The feeling of an entire city triumphing in unison and then holding a massive party was truly incredible.
NEVER EVER EVER go to Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras
Tulane students and New Orleans locals generally shy away from Bourbon due to its seedy, touristy nature. Something about 50-year-old business men drunkenly hitting on 18 year old girls while wearing Mardi Gras beads (year round) is kind of off-putting. Bourbon on Mardi Gras is even worse. There were points at which I could not move due to the thousands upon thousands of people cramming each block, shouting at the people on the balconies above for beads. 99.999% of these people are from out of town, and have come to New Orleans to party. Which is fine, just not something that most people who live here appreciate and want to be a part of.
The King of Rex has more power than the New Orleans City Council for one day a year
Yesterday I went to the Lundi Gras concert at Riverwalk, at which every year the mayor introduces the King of Rex. (Rex is the traditionally white Krewe that rolls on Mardi Gras Day.) The most interesting part of the ceremony was learning that in the New Orleans City Charter, the King of Rex has the power to petition the mayor to shut down the city for Mardi Gras Day, giving the mayor the ability to approve or reject it. I had never realized how institutionalized Rex is into the official and symbolic nature of the city government.
Anderson Cooper draws a huge crowd
People swelled the parade route for Endymion on Sunday night to see Anderson Cooper as the King of Endymion. Enough said.
Not all churches provide the same services
Churches along the parade routes will generally allow the public to use their restrooms for a small (or not so small) fee. However, St. George’s Episcopal Church on St. Charles goes above and beyond. Not only do they provide free restrooms, they also maintain a fully stocked bar and restaurant open to the public during Mardi Gras. Now really, how many churches out there will sell you beer and nachos?
Things I Learned This Mardi Gras
As in years past, Mardi Gras has been a surreal and magical experience. The atmosphere in New Orleans is different for a week and a half in a way that is very hard to explain. This year’s Mardi Gras has offered me some new pieces of insight.
Nothing will come close to Lombardi Gras
Mardi Gras last year came the week after the Saints won the Super Bowl for the first time. The ensuing two week period was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. As exciting as Mardi Gras was this year and freshman year, I am hard pressed to imagine a future Carnival competing with last years. The feeling of an entire city triumphing in unison and then holding a massive party was truly incredible.
NEVER EVER EVER go to Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras
Tulane students and New Orleans locals generally shy away from Bourbon due to its seedy, touristy nature. Something about 50-year-old business men drunkenly hitting on 18 year old girls while wearing Mardi Gras beads (year round) is kind of off-putting. Bourbon on Mardi Gras is even worse. There were points at which I could not move due to the thousands upon thousands of people cramming each block, shouting at the people on the balconies above for beads. 99.999% of these people are from out of town, and have come to New Orleans to party. Which is fine, just not something that most people who live here appreciate and want to be a part of.
The King of Rex has more power than the New Orleans City Council for one day a year
Yesterday I went to the Lundi Gras concert at Riverwalk, at which every year the mayor introduces the King of Rex. (Rex is the traditionally white Krewe that rolls on Mardi Gras Day.) The most interesting part of the ceremony was learning that in the New Orleans City Charter, the King of Rex has the power to petition the mayor to shut down the city for Mardi Gras Day, giving the mayor the ability to approve or reject it. I had never realized how institutionalized Rex is into the official and symbolic nature of the city government.
Anderson Cooper draws a huge crowd
People swelled the parade route for Endymion on Sunday night to see Anderson Cooper as the King of Endymion. Enough said.
Not all churches provide the same services
Churches along the parade routes will generally allow the public to use their restrooms for a small (or not so small) fee. However, St. George’s Episcopal Church on St. Charles goes above and beyond. Not only do they provide free restrooms, they also maintain a fully stocked bar and restaurant open to the public during Mardi Gras. Now really, how many churches out there will sell you beer and nachos?
Posted 1 year ago
