There is a sort of frenzy going on here in New Orleans. Something neither of us have witnessed before. It all started right after Christmas. We noticed that people didn't take down their Christmas decorations, they left them up. As a matter of fact, their Christmas trees are still up. The decorations are now all gold, purple and green. The colors of Mardi Gras. They have even added decorations to their yards and cars.
We've been avoiding traffic downtown and on other parade routes. They have been having parades every day since January 25th. Tomorrow is the big day they celebrate Mardi Gras and all of the schools are closed for three days. Mardi Gras day, the day before and the day after. All businesses are closed for at least Mardi Gras and some are closed for all three days.
So what is Mardi Gras? It starts on January 6, on the Feast of Epiphany, or the Twelfth Night (12 days after Christmas) and continues until the midnight of Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The way we've heard it described, is to say it's one of those "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow is Lent". One of the long time residents told us that it is just an excuse for everyone to get drunk and act stupid.
Needless to say, we just try to avoid it. The missionaries are all moved out of the area for the last two days and placed on lockdown in their apartments. The same as on New Year's Eve.
2 comments:
Lockdown...that won't be so bad! :)
We are continually thinking of you and show Matthew your missionary picture at church every week! Love you guys! Be safe!
Enjoy the mini "break" during Mardi Gras. Thanks for the Valentine's for the kids - they loved getting mail.
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