Happy Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday! Feb 12

These people are crazy! We went to the French Quarter and we may have been the only four people who were not in costume.  Or drunk! Not really but it seemed like it! All you have to do is put on a mask, strike a cadence on a drum, and before long 50 people will be costumed, dancing and drinking in a parade behind you, as you stroll around the streets, which are blocked off, except for an occasional taxi, beer truck, or rich person who insists on driving and making everyone move out of the way of their BMW.
We got an early start, with Bird and Gisele stuffed into the back of the Jeep, and we had to take some back roads into town because of parade detours. I'm not gonna tell you what we had to pay to park downtown (but I feel violated), but we got a spot and positioned ourselves on the corner of St Charles and Canal with all the crazies to watch Zulu (Pam got a coconut!!!!), Rex, and one of the three tractor trailer parades (for everyday folks who want to drive their rigs through the streets and throw mostly recycled beads). Rex is the oldest marching Krewe involved with Mardi Gras.  They are the last Krewe to parade thru the streets. The plan was to stay until midnight to watch the ceremonial closing of Bourbon Street, but after three parades and wandering Bourbon Street for hours, we decided that there was nothing else we could possibly see that hadn't been seen, and we went home pretty early. 6:30!!!!(Are we really that old?) So instead I went out and bought Chinese takeout and watched the Rex Ball that was televised!  It was very traditional with girls being presented to Rex, and everyone was in beautiful long gowns and tuxedos.  I think it is all reminiscent of the old South, how they had their balls, etc.  After all, some of the Krewes were founded in the mid 1800's!!  Talk about tradition!
There may be some facts that are slightly out of chronological order over the last three or four days, but the blur that is Mardi Gras may never fade, and I'm trying to remember, after not blogging for a while. All the facts stated are true to,the best of my memory, and does it really matter whether an event occurred on Sunday or Monday? Anyhow, look at the pictures, just like I'm gonna do. Bird and Gisele-- if you read this, please give your version of the last couple of days in the comment section. We really hope you had fun!

Zulu parade

Crowds before the Rex parade starts

King Rex arrives at Canal Street

King Rex toasts the Mayor up in the balcony before he turns onto Canal Street.

Rex's riding lieutenants also toast the balcony.  The costumes were velvet and beautiful!

This is for you Daddy!  The Marine Corps Band of New Orleans marched, and were they ever sharp!