Baby Boomer Traveling: The Carnival of Life

Saturday morning, our first full day in NOLA. My travel buddy has headed out on a swamp tour. I head over for some sweet childhood memories. Not quite as light and fluffy as the one I remember my Mom making but pretty darn close, close enough that with each bite they elicit a smile. Beignets and milk, just like I remember. After breakfast, serenaded by a lone trumpet player, I head across the street to Jackson Square for some major people watching before taking in the Presbytere and the Cabildo.

Indian Krewe member

One of the first sights I see upon exiting Cafe Du Mond was someone who was dressed in all pink feathers. Headdress, loin cloth, arms all in feathers, hot pink feathers. Tall, dark skinned is all I could see from behind except of course for the feathers. As I walked closer I saw members of one the city's many Krewes of Mardi Gras in full regalia. A couple from the Mardi Gras Indians Krewe were showing off this years costumes. One all in pink the other all in yellow feathers. Tourists paying for the privilege of getting a picture by posing on the Square with one or the other of the men in feathers.

Human transformer

As I move on I see an already gathered crowd and head that direction. In front of me I see a small electric car. The kind kids get to drive around in when they're small. The car drives around in a circle a couple of times. No child driving, so there must be someone with a remote. And then the car stands stands up. It's now a Transformer. A human transformer/car. I laugh. There's clapping, laughing and plenty of oohs and aahs as the crowd also recognizes the magic of it too. I watch a few minutes then move on around the square to see more.
Early in the morning the carriage drivers and their steady steeds are just pulling into place. The mules (yes they use mules and not horses) are dressed up with flowers, ribbons and bows. Some are multi-colored, some are in just one color with many shades. Drivers dressed to match their animals and carriages. Offering rides to anyone who walks by, I smile and keep walking. This is way to good to leave right now.
The artists are setting up. Water colors, acrylics, oil, framed, unframed, raw canvases not streatched, old windows with art, slate tiles. Muted colors, bright & vivid art, black & white, charcoal colors. And the artists are just as different in appearance as their art is.
Fortune tellers already in place before anyone else got there. Card tables, folding chairs, table clothes, candles and assorted paraphernalia set out on their tables. They will read palms, cards and bones. They can tell your future, your past, your love life, give you advice. They too are a mix of looks. Some all in black, some in standard clothing and some in amazing outfits. Each one promising to tell you all you need to know.

Is it music or art?

Musicians too are beginning to set up. Some solo, some in small groups of 2 or 3, some in larger groups of 6-10 musicians. Staking their place outside the wrought iron fence that marks the actual small Square of green and statues with more wrought iron benches. Tuning up, getting ready to play. And all of this was just in the morning.
Coming back in the evening we find brass bands leading newly married couples and their guests thru the streets followed by the 2nd line and all escorted by New Orleans police. As they wind their way thru the quarter to end the procession at the location of their choice for the reception. We were lucky enough to see at least 4 of these wedding processions wind their way thru the narrow, people filled streets of the Quarter.
Football fans came out in the evening also. Decked out in their team's black & gold colors from head to toe. Happily celebrating ahead of the sure victory for their team.

In New Orleans they don't hide crazy, they parade it on the front porch and give it a cocktail. Meanwhile we tourists tip them for their eccentricity as we wander the streets of New Orleans.