Monday, February 27, 2017

Mardi Gras: the real story (Pt 3 Going Home)

Packing up. Getting out of the city, any city, every city, is difficult. That is until you attempt to get out of a Mardi Gras city. Mardi Gras cities are a whole other conundrum. One best left to the minds of those who know the streets. You just want to get out. It won't happen until you cry in distress. Crying when you sit in the car is cheating and will only make your head pound harder. You can easily get in, find a parking space, go along on your merry way. 


"... I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans." - Mark Twain:

Try to get out when you've had enough. Not going to happen. Streets along the parade route are monitored by former KGB personnel. Know that every parade uses the same route. Along those streets are miles and miles and miles of barricade. No vehicle crosses the barricade once the go-time is signaled to the KGB officers. No vehicles will cross the barricade until the end times signal reaches the KGB officer. Sit in the car with the AC running so the kids will not whine and you are certain to run out of gas or overheat the car.

Going home. The moment that the KGB guy signals you to leave, every person in the car will pass out except the tiniest of criers. You will listen to her heart-piercing cry until you drop the child off. Miraculously, you will arrive at home. All that's left is to cart the children and trinkets inside.


Part 3 of 3   Go back to Part 1 here.  Go back to Part 2 here.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

After the first 10 years in NO, I went in my house on Sunday night and locked the door. Came out again on Thursday morning to go to work. Lots of fun, but loses it's charm when it becomes exhausting work.

Kaja said...

Oh my goodness, Mary, these were 3 great posts!!! You really made me imagine what it must be like to be there in person and I laughed a lot too.