10 Reasons Mardi Gras Makes You A Better Person
Mardi Gras in the Crescent City is a hectic time that no one truly understands unless they are a local.
Many outsiders see only pictures of Bourbon Street and the throngs of crowds, many showing parts of their anatomy in trade for beads. By the way, those people are rarely locals, notice I did not say never, again, we are the city of excess. But our city has so much more to offer the Carnival reveler, in addition to boobs (or fill in your choice of another body part) and beads. For locals it is a magical (and sometimes) insane time trying to lead normal lives amid the chaos. But for me I view the challenges of living in a city that throws the one of the largest celebrations in the world as an opportunity to grow. It’s all in how you approach life. Here are just some of the top ten ways Mardi Gras has made me a better person.
1) Appreciation for Simple Cuisine
Eating cold fried chicken on the parade route has never tasted so good. Greasy food becomes a natural part of your diet during Carnival, if for anything else to soak up the alcohol.
2) Navigational Skills Become Enhanced
Living in the city, I have become a human GPS, learning all the shortcuts and back roads to try and dodge parade traffic that can sometimes gridlock the city for hours.
3) Traditions and Rituals are Always Followed
King Cakes, King Cakes and King Cakes. God I love this cinnamon roll treat topped with icing and colored sugar. I truly believe that all the world’s ills can be solved over King Cake. When people first cut into a fresh one, their smiles are ear to ear (even the dieters). This Mardi Gras staple has become so widely popular that it is now year round fare here. But only true New Orleanians will eat it at the designated time of the year from King’s Day (January 6) to Mardi Gras Day (this year March 4). A Christmas King cake, oh the shame. Although a Saints one with black and gold sugar sprinkles is looked on as acceptable during winning seasons.
4) You Learn to Ignore Stupidity
My tolerance for stupid people has increased. Two million people stream into our city over the Carnival season, you do the math; not all of them are Mensa members. Add that to some of our more colorful locals and you get a gumbo pot of people making bad choices.
5) Alcohol Tolerance Increases
Staying on the above subject, my tolerance for alcohol has become pro-level. If there was ever an Olympic sport for drinking, I would win the gold; that is unless I am up against someone else from here.
6) You Learn to Share With Others More
Seriously, standing next to some small child with wonder in their eyes looking at all the exciting items thrown off the float, who would not hand over the stuffed animal they caught over to them. Now a pair of blinky beads is another story. I like to think I am keeping them away from a choking hazard. Unfortunately, I am still an only child at heart sometimes.
7) Eye-Hand Coordination Becomes Refined
Catching beads, cups, trinkets, doubloons has a skill behind it. And there is no better feeling than catching a prized throw in the air, locals very rarely pick anything up off the ground. Seizing a pair of ornately colored big beads in flight is like catching the winning touchdown pass during the Super Bowl. Well maybe not so much, but it does give you a sense of accomplishment.
8) A Heightened Gratitude for Historical Traditions
Honey, in NOLA it is all about the ball. Every krewe has a Ball where they present the court in elaborate costumes adorned with feathers and bejeweled to the hilt so much so then when hit by light the outfit becomes blinding. Many of the Balls are steeped in tradition both centuries old and some newer ones. Discovering the history behind the krewes and why they do what they do has fascinated me more as I got older.
9) You Become an Expert at Accessorizing
The fashion police would have a field day during Mardi Gras. The outfits are sequined, gaudy, outlandish and totally acceptable on the streets. We New Orleanians do not just break the rules of fashion during Mardi Gras, we smash it into tiny pieces and toss it down the sewer. It is the only time of the year purple, green and gold is acceptable to wear as a color combination. Sort of like that no white after Labor Day code.
10) Becoming a Craftier Person.
Martha Stewart stand back, you have not seen a New Orleanian during Mardi Gras work their magic. I never picked up a glue gun before I was in a carnival krewe, now I am attaching sequins to outfits and working with wirework, paper mache and painting like a back water Cajun Monet. And it is not just costumes, the people here come up with new devices to catch beads like the bucket on a stick or my personal favorite the upside down umbrella connected to a mop handle. And some of the ladders people rig up to hold their children make me sometimes cringe at their ingenuity and pray they have a good insurance provider.
But no matter its detractors, Mardi Gras is a chance to experience life to its fullest, slow down and catch the parade instead of letting it pass you by. Live it up, drink it up, eat it up and enjoy the fact that we are very blessed to have this remarkable event right here in our backyard. Happy Mardi Gras Y’all!
Tony Leggio
Tony Leggio is a born and raised New Orleanian. He has over 20 years of event management experience having produced over 5,000 events locally and nationally. Tony has received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements in the hospitality industry. Besides his professional career, Anthony has played an active role in the community.He has served Event Chair of Art Against AIDS for the No/Aids Task Force for the past ten years and was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 by the organization. He is also a freelance writer who has written for USA Today, as well as several local publications.He also writes a column regularly In Ambush Magazine, plus is part of Gambit’s Big Easy Theatre Committee.Tony is a social butterfly of New Orleans that not only knows how to put on a great event but also knows how to enjoy one.
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