A
gathering of thousands of people will revel in the streets today, celebrating everything
and anything, raising glasses (and shirts) for beads and plastic doubloons and
throws (but if they fall on the street, just let them lie!). They will (most
likely, drunkenly) sway to street musicians; the loud brass bands gently
reminding the masses that they are, in fact, not saints and that the narrow
streets in which they stagger through are far too crowded for marching in. They
will wear their costumes in all their glory, walking through the streets of the
French Quarter. They will scream, “Throw me something, Mister!” to anyone
holding beads in their midst. They will indulge in the gluttony the city brings
to them. Drinking too much and eating far too little, hangovers will be a
definite for tomorrow. Tomorrow there will surely be many with the feeling of regret
in New Orleans, but today, well today is Mardi Gras!
Last
year, I had the unique opportunity to experience one of my bucket list items. I
was able to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans. While the day was filled with
rain, rain, and more rain, the mood and celebrations were far from dampened. I
swore, after being there last year, I would never really have to go to NOLA for
Mardi Gras again. But truth be told (you KNOW how I feel about the truth), I am
longing for the experience again. As I sit, knowing what today is in my favorite city, I can't help but wish I were there. I would give anything to be in my favorite
city today, reveling in Mardi Gras festivities once again. Today is Mardi Gras!
New
Orleans quickly captured my heart on my first trip to the Crescent City in July
of 2005. It was a trip unlike any other I had ever taken in my life. It was the
first time I vacationed on my own, per se. I went to NOLA with a friend and her
husband, however my husband at that time, refused to go along. I decided I wasn’t
allowing him to ruin my dream of being in a place where people were buried
above ground and voodoo and zydeco music filled the air. It was a very freeing
experience for me, allowing me for the first time ever, to truly feel like I
had control of my life. I became so consumed with the culture, the language; it
was so easy to become inspired by this city.
The
overpowering zest for life that abounds in New Orleans is so easy to fall in
love with! Everywhere within the French Quarter you can see signs reading
"laissez les bons temps rouler," which translates to "let the
good times roll!" And roll they do. It became a longing deep within my
heart to be in New Orleans. And with those good times, an incredible friendship
was forged with someone I met on a chance outing on July 20, 2005.
One
month after my initial trip to NOLA, Hurricane Katrina ravished my favorite
place in the world. I feared for the safety of my friend Capt. Ron, who is a
Captain of the NOFD. In talking to him after the storm, I knew that the New
Orleans I fell in love with was changed forever, however what was unchanged was
the strong desire I felt to be there.
I’ve
visited New Orleans five times since my first trip in 2005. While many things have
changed over the years within the Big Easy, one constant has remained all these
years later: my friendship with Capt. Ron. I find myself drawn to NOLA, not for
the nightlife and partying (although some nights, the drinks flow easy and that
inebriation can easily sneak up on you), but for the culture and the
friendship. It is cultural experience to be in the Crescent City and if you are
open to that experience, a whole new world can be opened to you.
One
of my trips to NOLA occurred over Thanksgiving of 2011, my daughter’s 21’st
birthday. I wanted her to experience a 21st like no other. And that
she did. It truly was the gift that keeps on giving, because much like her
mother, my daughter now has a deep love for the city, as well. She longs for
her next trip. She knows what it means to miss New Orleans.
Today
is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday." It
refers to the day before Lent starts. Tomorrow begins the religious observance
of Lent, a season of the Christian year where Christians focus on simple
living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. Since Lent always
starts on a Wednesday, the day before is always a Tuesday. And it's called
"Fat" or "Great" because it's associated with great food
and parties, hence the wild tradition and beliefs about Mardi Gras.
Today
is Mardi Gras in New Orleans and I am sitting here in Pennsylvania, reflecting,
wishing, and preparing for my next trip to my favorite city, festival or no
festival!
Today
is Mardi Gras! Go pass a good time, f’sure!!!!!
Until
tomorrow, my friends….. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
ThinkThankfully!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment