Mardi Gras Mambo, Down in New Orleans

But in Seattle it's cold, grey, and rainy.

If I had to choose one time of year to go back home, it would without a doubt be Mardi Gras weekend.  I've gotten old enough that the thought of partying on Bourbon on Lundi or Mardi Gras is enough to make me want to pass out from exhaustion, but the feeling of joyousness and debauchery in Southern Louisiana on Mardi Gras weekend each year is infectious. 

How I miss standing in the elements all day to watch the gorgeous parades, throwing elbows so that you can catch that perfect strand of (admittedly worthless) plastic beads, walking up and down St. Charles with a watered down Hurricane in one hand and a Hand Grenade in the other, debating between running for shelter from the flying golden coconuts or risking life and limb to catch one, searching high and low for a public bathroom when you just can't hold it anymore, getting lost in the warehouse district because you can't find parking, the smell from the exhaust of truck after truck hauling around benevolent drunk people, and the endless slices of king cake.  Oh, the king cake!  I'm getting all misty eyed over here.

It's just a part of what makes Louisiana so special.  I spent so much of my life desperate to get out of the South and experience other parts of the world, that I never appreciated just how amazing the place I grew up was.  Where else in this country are the people granted a legal holiday just so they can go get drunk and gorge themselves on delicious food in preparation for the solemnity of Ash Wednesday?  I was shocked when I got out of school and discovered that the rest of the world still had to go to work and school on the Monday and Tuesday before Lent began.

So, today I'm celebrating in my own way--already this morning I've had a delicious chocolate cupcake and a full fat, whipped cream topped, venti hot chocolate from Starbucks.  Before the day is out I plan to have had a chocolate chip and M&M cookie from Subway, a package of Reese's Peanut Butter cups, a pint of ice cream and if I can find one, a Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper.  I'm hoping that this will be enough to tide me over for the next forty days, as I'm giving up anything dessert related for Lent.  No chocolate, no cake, no cookies, no ice cream for the next forty days. 

I didn't realize until just a few years ago that giving up an item for Lent is a predominantly Catholic ritual.  It seems as though almost everyone back home observed Lent in that way, and though I've abandoned the practice for the past couple of years, I'm ready to go back to my roots.

It would just be so much easier if only I could scream out "Throw me something, Mister!" and get a long string of faux pearls before the end of the day!

Comments

[Kateastrophe]

Once again, just spoke to my sister about her life living in New Orleans. She went to the parade last night (Harry Connick Jr. was the Master of Ceremonies) and she lost her voice then stated that it was the most fun she'd ever had in her whole life.

Let's both plan to be there next year, shall we?? I'm willing to risk my life to catch a coconut at the Zulu parade if you are!

[Deutlich]

I've never participated in Lent. Ever. But I do wish you loads of luck with it!

[Ashley]

Dang, Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper counts as dessert, too?!? I haven't tried it, but I have been looking for it at every convenience store around the office.

[Sassafras]

I used to give up desserts for Lent every year and then I sort of gave it up too. I'm considering doing something again this year but I don't know what.

I think it takes getting away from your home town to really appreciate it. I totally get it.

[Miriam]

My husband is from Louisiana and I wanted to get him a King cake for Mardi Gras and all the ones I found had the baby sitting on top of the cake. It irritated me, so sadly my husband gets no king cake this year.

[Old Warrior]

Very sad about the baby not being pre-hidden in the King Cake anymore, Miriam, but thank the trial lawyers. Shyster lawyers collected big bucks from bakers after the poor stupid public found out that biting into a baby and breaking a tooth or choking equated to winning the lottery. So now, hiding the baby is up to you so you can be sued instead of the bakery.

[Fraulein N]

You guys know how to party. You got to take off for Mardi Gras? That's so awesome.

[wordnerd]

Awww, well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not at the parades today either. You do know you can order Gambino's king cakes online, don't you?

Ah, yes, Lent. I'm foregoing chocolate this year. My posts are definitely going to be edgy and dark for the next forty days... sigh.

[Brittany]

I found it kind of cute and charming that they make a feeble attempt at Mardi Gras here in Cape Girardeau. Some students had on Mardi Gras beads, and people were talking about how it was Fat Tuesday... but nobody knew what King Cake was! I brought one to school and they were all so excited and impressed. It made me proud to be a Louisiana girl!

[Shani]

Okay, you just made me supremely homesick. Thanks a lot! What I wouldn't give for a raspberry cream cheese king cake right now...

[sophie]

I marched in the Zulu parade once. There was terrible traffic and the parade stopped. A few guys were playing and saw my father's trumpet. They convinced him to play (and were surprised when they heard him--he kicks ass). When the traffic let up, the men made us walk with them. My father wouldn't let me stay where I was without him, so off we marched. Two very white folks marching in the Zulu parade.....at least Poppa was playing the trumpet.

(My uncle called the faux pearls his "tit beads".)

[janet]

Laissez les bons temps rouler! I love Louisiana too (went to Tulane). I miss Mardi Gras but I know it wouldn't be the same if I went back. Namely, I am not a drunk college girl anymore! :)

[Larissa]

Oh, lent! I always seem to forget when it begins, and end up wishing that I had participated in it.

Good luck with the ban on dessert!

[Dawn]

One of my old bosses in Ohio was from the south, and every year his mom would send up a King Cake for Mardi Gras. We were all big fans of it.

[Princess of the Universe]

Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper?? Mmmm...

[L the D]

My Mardi Gras celebration this year was limited to the kiddie parade at the church, so I'm feeling you. At least we had real jambalaya . . .

[RisibleGirl]

Those chocolate cupcakes from Starbucks look to be sent from the devil. I've not yet tried them, but have drooled over the idea many times. I'm afraid that they'd be my addiction of the year if I gave in.

I'm TOTALLY loving the skinny mocha. Guilt-free chocolate. Never knew there could be such a thing. sigh....

[Anne]

I'm late on this one but I can now say that I've lived Mardi Gras vicariously through this great post. And I learned something new too! Sorry there was no parade and celebration of the masses before the days of no dessert. Good luck!