There are several things that New Orleans is famous for but probably the top of the list has to be Mardi Gras. The origins stem back to the religious idea of giving up things for lent, traditionally prior to giving up things people would party (to make the best of it whilst they could) and gradually over time the mardi gras parades were formed. Very few people give up something for lent these days, but there's no reason the parties can't take place.
What I hadn't realised was that Mardi Gras takes place over a whole week and throughout the whole of Louisiana. Most towns have their own parades but it's in New Orleans that everyday massive parades thread through the streets with hundreds of thousands of people watching as and the people on the incredible floats throw beaded necklaces. Its really strange that it's almost impossible to attend a parade and not shout out for the beads, on the floor there are hundreds of the necklaces but the act of actually catching the beads is what it is all about.
Many of the locals bring along ladders to give them a height advantage, but in truth all they offer is a higher view, if the aim is catching beads that's easily achieved from the floor. All in all Mardi Gras is an incredible time and I feel sure it won't be the last time I experience it.
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