Mardi Gras Is Not Just A Day, But A Season

Finally, Mardi Gras is over. And I am honestly lost for words. Going to almost all the parades, I was struck by the irony of it all. The exuberance of the beads contrasted with the streets absolutely filthy with trash and beads; the individuality of the crowds cheering for beads, and the unifornity of the marching bands; and the wild revelry of the whole season contrasted with the day after Mardi Gras with the solemn penitence of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. And watching all the people yelling for beads constantly reminded me of the scene in which a mother bird brings food back to the nest and all the little chicks bob their heads up and down in hopes of receiving some worms, or in this case, strings of beads. Yet by the end of the festivities, it just became too overwhelming. Sure, I'm glad I experienced it and know what it's all about, but I really began to miss my home. Maybe it was because I didn't have my family and high school friends to share this experience with. And I was left disappointed not being able to see even one Mardi Gras Indian and also waking up at 6am Tuesday morning to attend the Zulu parade and not being able to see it, later realizing it started further down St. Charles than the other Uptown parades. All in all, I am thrilled I had the opportunity to be here in Nawlins for this post-Superbowl victory Mardi Gras season, but to be honest, I am ready to return to the routine of school.