In Praise of Mardi Gras
Read more articles on Let Me Share With You and Travel Planning.February 21, 2007
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
February 21, 2007
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
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It was always one of my goals to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and I was able to do so at age 24. Even now, so many years later, I have vivid memories of those four days, especially when TV news snippets show the celebration every February.
In my opinion, Mardi Gras is best experienced when young. I suppose if one is with a group of close friends, it would be wildly exciting, but even for a relatively lone traveler (albeit with a tour group), I had fun. The people in my circle ranged in age, and there were others like me who were alone because they couldn’t find companions who wanted to go or who could arrange such a trip. I had plenty of folks to go out with at night to dinner and clubs, but the days were mine, and that’s the way I liked it.
We stayed within walking distance of the parade route, and I distinctly recollect how the lobby was decorated with huge masks and assorted Mardi Gras memorabilia. That first night my new pals and I went to the Court of Two Sisters for dinner. It was magical for me to finally be in the midst of what had always held a fascination. Afterwards we walked Bourbon Street (in summery clothes, a treat after our wool coats of the morning) and drank “Hurricanes”, while the audience sang challenges of northern and southern songs-an appropriate welcome to this lovely city.
The rest of the days were a blur, except that I do remember buying pecan treats, corn dogs, and various local favorites. I remember yelling, “Throw me something, Mister” and acquiring a huge collection of beaded necklaces. Through the years, I’ve given them away, but still have every one of the coins that I managed to scrape off the ground, and continue to see beauty in the stamping on each one. I also remember the surprise of having a stranger put beads around me neck-only to find out later tradition called for me to show my you-know-whats, which, even had I known, I wouldn’t have. Even at 24, I was pretty conservative; in fact, early on Ash Wednesday, when the city was still asleep, I went out to take pictures. Back then, one of my dreams was to be a photo journalist, and I thought it intriguing to snap the remnants of the celebration in the early morning mist. As you can see, that dream never came to fruition, and I can’t believe that so many years have passed that I’m now old enough to be the mother of one of those girls who stand on balconies and flash the crowds below.
About 9 years ago, my husband and I visited with our preschool daughter a couple months after Mardi Gras, and it wasn’t the same. I’m not sure if it was that signs of Mardi Gras were evident, although not taking place, or if I was there with a child and doing family-oriented activities, or if it was just that I was older. We had a good time, and I did get to see more of the city, but as a visitor, I’ll always equate New Orleans with Mardi Gras. I’m glad that more guests are visiting again, and that the city is slowly coming back. It was a hopeful sight to see the Mardi Gras crowds, and I wish the best for the city. Every year, it provides wonderful memories, and for that reason alone, it deserves our support.
“Laisse le bon temps rouler”-“Let the good times roll”.
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