Part 8 - Mardi Gras Madness

Chapter 11. Lundi Gras New Orleans

After a full day of driving we got home in time for the second last day of Mardi Gras and some of the bigger parades. A lot of fun was had by all … see pictures. We did meet a lovely family that had been coming to the corner we were standing on for 35 years! They had an amazing set up. “Cookie” an older guy in his 60’s seemingly spent his whole time at Mardi Gras on the grill (bbq) they had set up on the corner, along with a porta-potty on the back of a trailer, deep fryer and more food than anyone could eat. One of the nephews was having a great time making sure that the people in the parades didn’t fall into a hole in the road just in front of where we were standing. He and the other nephew’s were very entertaining. Thanks to Noah’s charming skills and Mum sucking up we were able to get them to save us a spot for the HUGE parades the next day.

Chapter 12. Fat Tuesday New Orleans

Fat Tuesday is the last day off Mardi Gras and everyone is completely nuts … the parades started at 8am and people were already drinking! The parades started with the Zulu parade which we celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary. We did not stay for long as there were sooo many people and Noah was ready for a nap so we headed back to the unit and came back to the parades after lunch. The madness continued but as the day wore on the crowds thinned … a little and we were able to catch some beads etc. The final parade had huge trucks pulling the floats, which Noah really enjoyed, especially when they pulled their horns! As any boy would.

That night after the parades were done Robert took us for a drive up St Charles Ave to show us the mess the parades leave. It was insane as you would imagine. But further up near where the parades start there was no mess the cleaning crews had been through and it was spotless! You wouldn't have even known Mardi Gras had happened.

Another little tid-bit we learned apparently, because Fat Tuesday is the last day of Mardi Gras before lent starts at exactly 12 midnight the police ride down Bourbon St and kick everyone off the street … no more partying time to repent! Hahaha could you imagine them getting away with this at home, or at schoolies hahahha yeah right! I wish we could have been there to see that!

---

---