Just got back from a great weekend in New Orleans, where Will Ferrell made an appearance as the King of the Bacchus parade.
We sampled hurricanes, king cake, shrimp and grits, alligator, catfish, jambalaya, pulled pork barbecue, many flavors of the local Abita brew and po'boys, which in New Orleans are a must. Every bit of food we tasted was delicious! I need to spend some time learning how to make Cajun food!
People got really competitive trying to catch some swag. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not have to reveal yourself to get beads, you only have to wave your hands like a loon and cheer loudly. We came home with more swag than we know what to do with!
Everyone warned us that Mardi Gras gets really crazy - it actually wasn't nearly as bad as what I expected! The city certainly knows how to throw a good party though.
The amount of trash leftover after the parades was mind boggling. The streets were overflowing with waste. Apparently, the city can get an estimate on revenue generated by Mardi Gras based on the pounds of trash collected after the event.
The most amazing part: the city had each parade route sparkling clean by the following morning.
Inmates on good behavior worked through the night and everything was ready for the next set of parades the following day.
New Orleans fascinates me.
Much of the city is still blighted from Katrina and many residents still suffer the effects of the BP oil spill.
I've never seen more abandoned buildings in one place.
The parades included school marching bands and dance troupes and they were completely racially segregated.
The poverty in the city is very apparent. The roads are a mess and because the city sinks at different rates, the sidewalks are chaotically uneven. Crime is rampant and the government is corrupt.
However, the music, art, architecture, food and climate are all incredible.
Contradictions abound.
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| Lower 9th Ward: The red marking is where the water line was on this house on September 10, 2005. The marking was made as rescue workers searched for bodies - the number announces how many were found and if the house is clear. |
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| You can still see kids toys on the floor. |
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| Many homes haven't been rebuilt. |
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| Brad Pitt has built many sustainable and affordable homes in the area for residents who have returned. Some bemoan the architecture chosen as it does not resemble the shotgun style of the original homes. However, he has contributed a significant amount to the area and to the people who did not have means to help themselves. |
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| The blue posts mark the water levels. |
It really was eyeopening to see that the recovery process is this far from over.
"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one…just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had."
— F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, Chapter 1
Wow, it's terrible to see the impacts that Katrina had on New Orleans and how they are still suffering 7 years later. I'm glad you still had fun though! Colleen will be upset that you saw her "boyfriend" Will Ferrell. hahaha.
ReplyDeletewell that certainly was an amazing image tour. The picture of Will Ferrell really cracked me up, how awesome was that? Seems like you guys had a great time. Too bad it was overcast and so good of you to post those past picture of hurricane stricken parts of New Orleans, the dose of reality but hope too. New Orleans fascinates me too. I'd love to visit one day!
ReplyDeleteI love NOLA, especially the music, the food and the "go-cups". I've been a few times, but I have never been there for Mardi Gras. I imagine it is awesome.
ReplyDelete1-amazing that will ferrell was the king of the parade, HAHA.
ReplyDelete2- the city looks AMAZING. i would love to visit someday, but a trip from hawaii to new orleans would be so $$! My parents went 2 years ago and loved it.
3- sad that so many houses haven't been rebuilt! gosh... it feels like more progress should have been made :(
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Oh I want to eat every you ate, I'd love to try that kind of food.
ReplyDeleteYes, my sister was there a few years ago and couldn't believe how Third World it was in parts.
omg. so fun. fabulous post, love. thanks for sharing. if you get a sec, I'd love to hear what you think of my Shoemint photo shoot. xo
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Mardi Gras looks amazing, I guess it really is as fun as it sounds!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I am a bit jealous you had the chance to spend such a great in New Orleans I guess it was a good experience!
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