I spent Mardi Gras weekend in New Orleans to celebrate. I love carnival time and it is one of the things I miss the most about living in Louisiana.
To learn more about the history of Mardi Gras, visit these links:
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553106/Mardi_Gras.html
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html
Day 1
My weekend was so much fun and filled with laughs to say the least. My weekend started early on Friday. I invited Monique to go to Mardi Gras with me. This was her first time going so we were both excited. Our drive down was cool. We stopped in Breaux Bridge at one of my favorite spots before you get on the Atchafalya Bridge and got a daiquiri. That's another beautiful thing about La. They actually allow you to buy daiquiris and take them with you. When we got off the bridge, State Troopers had setup a speed trap and were waiting. Unfortunately, they got me doing 78 in a 60. I didn't let that spoil my mood. I was just glad the trooper asked me to get out of the truck rather than coming to the side of the truck. It wouldn't have been beautiful thing had he saw the daiquiri cup in the cup holder. I'm not really concerned about the ticket. I left it with my parents to "get it taken care of." Another great thing about La. is everybody knows somebody. We stopped in Baton Rouge to see my Mom and Grandmother and to drop off my daughter. She was able to spend the weekend with my parents and they were able to spoil her a little.
The fun really began when we got to the N.O. We arrived on the Westbank about 7pm. We need to take a nap, because we were attending the Zulu ball that night. So after a brief power nap we got up and started getting dressed for the ball. We both had beautiful gowns for the event. I just love being Cinderella if only for a night. After we finished getting beautified, we took some pictures.
We left for the ball around 10pm or so. There are shuttles that take you straight to the convention center from different places in the city. So we took the shuttle into downtown New Orleans. There were truly some sights. Zulu is the premier black ball of mardi gras. (http://www.kreweofzulu.com/) Our folks go all out with their dresses and tuxedos. Women must wear long formal dresses and men must wear tuxedos. One lady even had on a rhinestone mask for the ball. Talk about La-Ti-da. I saw everything from pimp canes to full length furs, to mink shawls, to mink hats. You name it, they had it on.
My girlfriend and I had the privilege and pleasure of sitting in the section of Zulu’s last year King and Queen’s area. We were right by the stage and up close to the concert and all the action. This was a treat for me, because in past years, I was always seated far away. A friend of mines daughter was one of the Zulu maids. She was absolutely beautiful. Her tables were in that section so we were with royalty. The ball went on as usual. There is the introduction of maids and the crowning of the new Zulu king and queen. The mayor makes a toast to the new king and wishes blessing on him for the parade and then its party time.
Each year a recording artist is invited to perform at the ball. This year it was Charlie Wilson and Doug E Fresh. Both shows were a blast. We danced, ate, drank and partied until 4am. That was the bomb.
We got the shuttle back to our car and then had to drive home. With all that food and drink and dancing and partying we both were really wasted. It was only by God’s grace that we made it home. I went to sleep at every red light I stopped at. Then I called myself trying to get a burger and went to a Rally’s that was closed. If there are no cars in the parking lot and no people in the building that would be a good sign that they are closed. Monique was trying to doze off; I told her to wake her butt up and help navigate us home. We got home faster than we realized. We made it in the house at 5:00am. I was just glad we made it safely. I really miss living in New Orleans.
Day 2
It was quite difficult to get up Saturday morning for the Nomtoc parade in Algiers. Monique and I were extremely tired and were really dragging. We made it to the parade route about noon. The parade is usually late anyway and people hang out all day anyways. We decided to hang out with the men of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. They throw a party out by Nomtoc every year call Que-Nomtoc. They boil seafood, turkey necks and corn, barbeque, jambalaya, red beans and lots of fun. Monique was very intrigued by all the fine specimen of Que Dogs. It’s the norm for me. Furthermore, I don’t get excited about them anymore because my brother, Romell is a Que dog and he won’t let any of them near me. So when I am there I am like the baby sister of everybody. I enjoy it though. They all watch my back and make sure me and my friends are taken care of. Monique had the privilege of meeting some of the Que’s. She was even bitten on the butt by one of them. She didn’t like that very much. Monique is kind of on the reserved side, at first anyone. Needless to say, she didn’t enjoy the butt bite! We stayed at the parade until it was over.
The next parade was Endymion. It is the prettiest of all the parades. The headdress of the kings, queens and maids are so fabulous. They take a whole year to make them. The parade was across the river in New Orleans, close to Carrollton. Once we got to the area of the parade, there was not a lot of parking. So we parked a little further than we wanted. We started walking, and then realized that we need to look at the street signs so we could remember where we parked. The parade was a lot of fun. We met my girlfriend and her family out there and they had food at a relative’s house nearby. We got something to eat and then continued watching the parade.
My girlfriend and I were getting tired, plus we wanted to go out later. We decided to head for home so we could take a nap. This would have been a great idea, but when we walked back to where we thought we had parked, the truck was not there. We walked around for about 2 hours. We asked policemen to help us. Monique even played like her sugar was low. The police officer told us that there were no emergency services available and that they were on their way to another parade. After walking and not finding we found a small bar to hang out at. I called Romell to come get us. Regardless of the situation he will bail me out no matter what. While Monique went in the bar to use the restroom, a gentleman saw me sitting outside and got me attention. He asked why such a beautiful lady was looking so sad. I explained to him that I had lost my truck and couldn’t find it. He offered to take us to look for the car. I was hesitant at first, but I was tired and my feet were hurting really bad. Luckily we were able to find the car after he took us around the neighborhood. Monique was scarred to death. I wasn’t worried, because I knew we could take him. Once we to the car, he was asking could he take me out, but I had other plans, at least I though. He admitted that he thought we were just making up that story and trying to rob him at first. Monique and I were just glad he didn’t try anything and become N.O.’s next victim.
Once we got back to Marrero it was about 10:00pm. We were both pooped and decided to stay home and rest. I’m so glad we both agreed.
Day 3
Sunday morning we headed back to Texas. We decided to get one more daiquiri from the drive though place before we left. The drive home was cool. We wanted to get back in time to watch the Superbowl game. I was elated when the Giants served New England’s azz on a platter. Go GIANTS!!
Our next adventure is two weeks away, All Star Weekend in New Orleans.
To learn more about the history of Mardi Gras, visit these links:
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553106/Mardi_Gras.html
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html
Day 1
My weekend was so much fun and filled with laughs to say the least. My weekend started early on Friday. I invited Monique to go to Mardi Gras with me. This was her first time going so we were both excited. Our drive down was cool. We stopped in Breaux Bridge at one of my favorite spots before you get on the Atchafalya Bridge and got a daiquiri. That's another beautiful thing about La. They actually allow you to buy daiquiris and take them with you. When we got off the bridge, State Troopers had setup a speed trap and were waiting. Unfortunately, they got me doing 78 in a 60. I didn't let that spoil my mood. I was just glad the trooper asked me to get out of the truck rather than coming to the side of the truck. It wouldn't have been beautiful thing had he saw the daiquiri cup in the cup holder. I'm not really concerned about the ticket. I left it with my parents to "get it taken care of." Another great thing about La. is everybody knows somebody. We stopped in Baton Rouge to see my Mom and Grandmother and to drop off my daughter. She was able to spend the weekend with my parents and they were able to spoil her a little.
The fun really began when we got to the N.O. We arrived on the Westbank about 7pm. We need to take a nap, because we were attending the Zulu ball that night. So after a brief power nap we got up and started getting dressed for the ball. We both had beautiful gowns for the event. I just love being Cinderella if only for a night. After we finished getting beautified, we took some pictures.
We left for the ball around 10pm or so. There are shuttles that take you straight to the convention center from different places in the city. So we took the shuttle into downtown New Orleans. There were truly some sights. Zulu is the premier black ball of mardi gras. (http://www.kreweofzulu.com/) Our folks go all out with their dresses and tuxedos. Women must wear long formal dresses and men must wear tuxedos. One lady even had on a rhinestone mask for the ball. Talk about La-Ti-da. I saw everything from pimp canes to full length furs, to mink shawls, to mink hats. You name it, they had it on.
My girlfriend and I had the privilege and pleasure of sitting in the section of Zulu’s last year King and Queen’s area. We were right by the stage and up close to the concert and all the action. This was a treat for me, because in past years, I was always seated far away. A friend of mines daughter was one of the Zulu maids. She was absolutely beautiful. Her tables were in that section so we were with royalty. The ball went on as usual. There is the introduction of maids and the crowning of the new Zulu king and queen. The mayor makes a toast to the new king and wishes blessing on him for the parade and then its party time.
Each year a recording artist is invited to perform at the ball. This year it was Charlie Wilson and Doug E Fresh. Both shows were a blast. We danced, ate, drank and partied until 4am. That was the bomb.
We got the shuttle back to our car and then had to drive home. With all that food and drink and dancing and partying we both were really wasted. It was only by God’s grace that we made it home. I went to sleep at every red light I stopped at. Then I called myself trying to get a burger and went to a Rally’s that was closed. If there are no cars in the parking lot and no people in the building that would be a good sign that they are closed. Monique was trying to doze off; I told her to wake her butt up and help navigate us home. We got home faster than we realized. We made it in the house at 5:00am. I was just glad we made it safely. I really miss living in New Orleans.
Day 2
It was quite difficult to get up Saturday morning for the Nomtoc parade in Algiers. Monique and I were extremely tired and were really dragging. We made it to the parade route about noon. The parade is usually late anyway and people hang out all day anyways. We decided to hang out with the men of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. They throw a party out by Nomtoc every year call Que-Nomtoc. They boil seafood, turkey necks and corn, barbeque, jambalaya, red beans and lots of fun. Monique was very intrigued by all the fine specimen of Que Dogs. It’s the norm for me. Furthermore, I don’t get excited about them anymore because my brother, Romell is a Que dog and he won’t let any of them near me. So when I am there I am like the baby sister of everybody. I enjoy it though. They all watch my back and make sure me and my friends are taken care of. Monique had the privilege of meeting some of the Que’s. She was even bitten on the butt by one of them. She didn’t like that very much. Monique is kind of on the reserved side, at first anyone. Needless to say, she didn’t enjoy the butt bite! We stayed at the parade until it was over.
The next parade was Endymion. It is the prettiest of all the parades. The headdress of the kings, queens and maids are so fabulous. They take a whole year to make them. The parade was across the river in New Orleans, close to Carrollton. Once we got to the area of the parade, there was not a lot of parking. So we parked a little further than we wanted. We started walking, and then realized that we need to look at the street signs so we could remember where we parked. The parade was a lot of fun. We met my girlfriend and her family out there and they had food at a relative’s house nearby. We got something to eat and then continued watching the parade.
My girlfriend and I were getting tired, plus we wanted to go out later. We decided to head for home so we could take a nap. This would have been a great idea, but when we walked back to where we thought we had parked, the truck was not there. We walked around for about 2 hours. We asked policemen to help us. Monique even played like her sugar was low. The police officer told us that there were no emergency services available and that they were on their way to another parade. After walking and not finding we found a small bar to hang out at. I called Romell to come get us. Regardless of the situation he will bail me out no matter what. While Monique went in the bar to use the restroom, a gentleman saw me sitting outside and got me attention. He asked why such a beautiful lady was looking so sad. I explained to him that I had lost my truck and couldn’t find it. He offered to take us to look for the car. I was hesitant at first, but I was tired and my feet were hurting really bad. Luckily we were able to find the car after he took us around the neighborhood. Monique was scarred to death. I wasn’t worried, because I knew we could take him. Once we to the car, he was asking could he take me out, but I had other plans, at least I though. He admitted that he thought we were just making up that story and trying to rob him at first. Monique and I were just glad he didn’t try anything and become N.O.’s next victim.
Once we got back to Marrero it was about 10:00pm. We were both pooped and decided to stay home and rest. I’m so glad we both agreed.
Day 3
Sunday morning we headed back to Texas. We decided to get one more daiquiri from the drive though place before we left. The drive home was cool. We wanted to get back in time to watch the Superbowl game. I was elated when the Giants served New England’s azz on a platter. Go GIANTS!!
Our next adventure is two weeks away, All Star Weekend in New Orleans.
1 comment:
Man, sounds like Mardi Gras weekend was a blast. Guess N.O. is back in full effect.
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