Moot Thoughts & Musings

Though parades have been happening daily for over a week, we've been too tired and busy to really go. So we held off until today, the Big Day, with super parades and super floats. And it was SUPER FUN!!!! Jack and Erica came down from Baton Rouge, and we went to the big parade that tops it all off, Rex. (We couldn't get up early enough for Zulu.)

When they arrived, we started off the morning with yummy refreshments of coffee and King Cake (decorated with the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold).

The parade started down at the end of the street. So we packed our little backpack/chair that we got free from the bank from opening an account, loaded our cameras with film, and set off, arriving just as the parade was starting.

Mardi Gras parades are interactive. The crowd jumps up and down and yells, and the people on the floats throw beads, cups, toys, etc. The throws always bear the particular Krewe's mark. So a lot of the stuff had Krewe Rex all over it and little crowns in the strands of beads we caught.

The floats at this parade are very elaborate and beautiful. Everybody in the parade (except for the highschool and military bands) wears masks à la the original Carnaval parades in Venice.

The first location we picked was not so good. People weren't throwing us stuff, and bands weren't playing, just in their "march" cycle, so we walked a bit further down the parade route. At one point, when we were at the intersection of Napolean and Freret, we turned around a saw a random group of people in costume marching down the street (second liners?). The kids were wearing these spectacular costumes and jiving to the drum beat of someone in their group. They made their way down the street, crossed a small gap in the big parade, and continued their little dance down the street.

Here's me and my loot thus far.

Chris mostly sat back and enjoyed the parade. At one point, he lifted me up on his shoulders to see if I could get some cool stuff. I did get some cool pictures at my great vantage point, though, I should've been more elaborately dressed in a costume or funny hat if I really wanted to get some good throws. (By the way, just in case you're wondering. According to nola.com, showing skin to get beads is passe and dressing up crazy is so in. )

Every float was really spectacular.

After Rex, the Elks and local businesses have a truck parade. Less elaborate floats (though still pretty decent), lots of fun throws, and a more local feel. It's great fun for kids, so we hiked over to the end of the Hamilton's street where they stood getting a stroller load of stuff. People threw lots of toys and beads to them, because they're so cute.

Here's me helping a somewhat overstimulated 2 yr old Blair wave her arms for some beads (though she's obviously not doing too bad).

Erica and her loot.

Abby having a good time and waiting for the next float.

Everybody having a good time.

It was great fun, but after over two hours of parading, we were tired. We walked back with the Hamiltons the two blocks to their house and stopped off for drinks and a little rest. Then we continued walking back to our house. (I love the fact that we had a whole morning of Mardi Gras without even having to think about driving anywhere). Erica and I fixed a Fabulous Taco Feast. And the soporific effect of full bellies and parade legs sent us collapsing to the couch. Upon brief recovery we watched "What's Up, Doc?", a comedy involving a musicologist. ;-)

Happy Mardi Gras!!!!!