Friday, March 7, 2014

A Cold and Rainy Fat Tuesday, New Orleans La…

Mardi Gras 2014 006
Mardi Gras 2014 007We were so looking forward to Fat Tuesday when the weather decided to take a turn for the worse .  We still planned to attend the morning parades that is until the forecast got even worse… and on Fat Tuesday the high was supposed to be in the low 40’s with rain… Yuck!!! Nothing worse than wet and cold together… So we ended up staying in our warm home watching the parades on the TV.
Mardi Gras 2014 009Mardi Gras is so big here in New Orleans that they broadcast on live TV of all the action. Even though we were not at the place we wanted to be we still could feel the excitement as the Zulu and Rex parades rolled through town. Watching all the people shivering in the wet and cold made us okay with our decision to stay out of the elements. Also we certainly didn't need anymore throws even though I know we would have certainly not been able to resist the coveted Zulu coconuts and Rex doubloons. And though we did not experience Mardi Gras live we still were able to get a taste of Carnival and its happenings. Yet we are still considering a return to this event some day in the future.
Mardi Gras 2014 025At the very least we will likely come to one of their other huge events such as the St. Patty’s Day’s Parades or Jazz Fest. It is honestly an experience like no other.  The excitement of the crowd and the way the city embraces its visitors is a joy to behold.  We smiled to see a video that went viral of a New Orleans police detective doing the wobble dance with the crowd while waiting for the parades.  The atmosphere was almost like tailgating at college games with families and friends camping out all along the parade routes with their BBQ grills fired up.
A lot of reader’s suggested we were crazy to come here because of all the crowds and congestion. And I for one will admit I had my doubts as I too don’t like crowded places but I have to tell you this was one really fun event! I am really thankful I put those concerns aside and was able to cut loose and have such a blast!!!
Mardi Gras 2014 010Ash Wednesday’s weather was not much better than Mardi Gras’s weather so we stayed inside most of the day, did a little laundry and went grocery shopping. We next headed to Abbeville, Louisiana Thursday and are once again staying at Betty’s RV Park. As many in blog land know this is the home of the infamous and captivating “Betty’s Web”. We will stay here for a week and immerse ourselves further in this Cajun culture and hospitality. If we aren’t careful we may become “coon asses” before we know it…
which brings us to the end


9 comments:

  1. Whew.. I think I would have skipped the crowds and craziness in the cold weather too... but I think it should probably be experienced "once" in a lifetime. I have been in the French Quarter twice, but never during Mardi Gras. I suppose I should make it there sometime, eh?
    (I had a muffeletta sandwich for lunch twice this week.. .as close to Mardi Gras I will get this year)
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    Karen and Steve
    (Blog) RVing: The USA Is Our Big Backyard
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  2. haha....love the way you 'ended' the post. New Orleans as well as Betty's are both on our list. Stay warm....Texas this year was coooold, glad we're back in AZ enjoying perfect temps. Have fun at Betty's :-)

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  3. HA ha ha…liked that last one pic very cute. Well at least you can feel the energy and craziness for the next several days once it warms up.
    Our visit to NOLA last year was tamed compared to your big event.
    Have fun the rest of the days of your stay there.

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  4. Too bad about the weather but at least you did get a bit of the flavor of Mardi Gras.

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  5. I agree about cold/wet parade watching. There's always another year for a full timer. The end picture is too funny. What would her mama say??? Had hoped to make it to Betty's this year but looks like that isn't going to happen. But there's always next year. Have fun for us and we'll try not to be envious when we see all that we are missing.

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  6. Sorry the weather didn't hold up for you. I think I'll pass on Mardi Gras and if I feel the need for a crazy party celebration, I think I'll go to Key West in October. Have fun at Betty's

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  7. What a funny way to wrap up a post. I have gone back and forth on whether to visit NO during Mardi Gras or during a more sedate time. Your post makes it look so fun! Betty's seems to be the happening place to be.

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