my own drum

Place: New Orleans
Time: February 2007

Mardi Gras is underway in the city that was New Orleans. If you want to skip through all the rest of this, I found a slide show of some of this years events including Satyricon, Krewe of Cork, Barkus and Shangri-LA. The link is at the end of this article.

Mardi Gras isn't what has drawn me to New Orleans, however. What has drawn my attention is the general tone of the mainstream media, where good news is still rare in the ongoing tragedy that is New Orleans. Today I read a New York Times article about one young couple who had decided to pack up and move, this after returning from their Katrina evacuation. The young husband said that he bought his first house in November, and his first gun in December. Crime is very much a serious problem in the city, and the police department still has more than a few wrinkles to iron out. Add that on top of the devastation, from Katrina and again from a recent round of tornado strikes. Add that on top of high rents, soaring insurance premiums, and what is perceived by many a lack of leadership ability, money and progress.

Poppy Z. Brite, a New Orleans novelist, wrote: "This isn’t an easy place to be right now..."

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To tell you the truth, I never felt like New Orleans was an easy place to be. And that accounts for why I have never spent any significant time there. To me, it feels like the sort of place to go only if you know someone there.. sort of like Cincinnati. I've only known one person who actually ever lived in New Orleans, and we met while we were both living in California. She told me some great stories about living on the French Quarter back in the 70's. It sounded like a damn fine party and I'm truly saddened that I missed it. But she wasn't willing to go back there.

Enough about me. Where's the party?

According to Jeff Crouere at Bayou Buzz, "over 50 parades will roll throughout the metro area. According to Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy, Mardi Gras 2007 will be “an ordinary one with big crowds once again.” This year, more hotels are opened and more people are able to enjoy the festivities. After a tumultuous last few months, the people of New Orleans need this chance to kick back and have fun."

If you're not from the area then it's possible that you have a misperception of Mardi Gras. It's all about booze, parades, halk-naked women and party! Right? Wrong. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is steeped in tradition. To the residents of New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a family event. Indeed, a peek at the photo show will give you some insight into this aspect. Mardi Gras is about community spirit and pride. One thing is certain, there is still plenty of that in New Orleans, but how long can it hold out against the backdrop of the city that was New Orleans?

Carnival Season 2007 photoshow
If that doesn't work look for the article Pre and Mardi Gras Week in Bayou Buzz

Note: Javascript will be required to see the show.

mardi gras

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