Mardi Gras has begun...

Howdy Guys,

We are so excited about the beginning of our 1st Mardi Gras weekend. We have experienced our first parades and already made so many fun memories. Justin went to a parade in the Quarter called the Krewe de Vieux. It is a local's parade where there are tons of satire floats and costumes. Justin went with some classmates and had a great time, though navigating the Quarter with the crowds was difficult. Jamie's first parade was Krewe de Muses with her friend Kristen. (Note: A krewe is the organization that puts on each parade.) She made friends with some local business owners (important because bathrooms are hard to come by!). Her friends made sure she got many of the "hard-to-get throws" such as blinking rings, bangled bracelets, barrettes. Even strangers would hear that it was her first Mardi Gras parade and give/get her throws But the elusive real high heels (the highly coveted throw from the Muse parade) was not for her taking... there is always next year! Look at Muses's trademark huge LED lit stiletto heel.

Friends and Beads

Each parade (well... most of them) is made of floats that are lined with people who throw out 'throws.' You yell out to the Krewe members "Throw me something mister!!" to get throws. Now I know what many of you are probably thinking, "Who wants some cheap beads or other crud?" But in the moment you want all the cheap fun stuff. It is silly to be with people from all walks of life and find yourself screaming for the elusive good throws. Of course, this is right along side some 5 year old kid and her family! Of course, all parades have beads but each parade has something a little special. Muses is all about "girl" stuff with barrettes, bracelets, high heel shoes. There are marching bands, dancers, guys on bikes, Elvis on scooters, horse riders.

"Throw Me Something Mister..."

One of the many amazing marching parade

Each member of the Krewe spends big money getting throws. One of Jamie's friends spent nearly $2000 on her throws!! Speaking of this friend... we went to her parade, Morpheus. Justin and Jamie had signs and were along the parade route where we knew she would be. She and her friends literally made it rain beads, lights, and other throws. It was crazy!!! Justin tried to take video of it and had the camera knocked out of his hand. Don't worry it is a rough-and-tumble camera. Morpheus is a night parade so everything is lit up and the throws glow in the dark. After both of the recent parades, we joined in the party. There was a small intimate second line one night and then another second line with 100s of people dancing the street. The revelry is contagious!!

Morpheus


The float behind is the Morpheus from above... Look how huge the floats are!!

Right before the float came by, I asked Justin "Are you ready for this?" Justin replied, "I have been preparing my whole life for this!" So Justin was quick to notify me that "I was not prepared for THAT!" Yes, we dropped the camera. Yes, both Justin and the camera hid behind the sign. Whew, so much fun!

This weekend holds the "super-krewes." Which means bigger floats, longer parades, more throws. We have family and friends coming in to join the party. It should be so much fun! We will be sure to post more on the party. Hopefully next year you can make it out!!

Love, Team JJ

P.S. Who knows what this weekend holds??