mardi gras- party gras

Why is Mardi Gras so important? I am not really sure, but I know it is extremely important. I think that once I experience my FIRST Mardi Gras I will have a better understanding. While I am super nervous for it, I am also incredibly excited. I also think that Mardi Gras is important to different people in different ways. I don't think it's fair to generalize why Mardi Gras is important because it's a different experience for every person.

I was never familiar with the culture of New Orleans until I visited Loyola, and even then I wasn't too sure what it was all about. Up until I was looking at colleges the only thing I knew about New Orleans was that it had Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras meant New Orleans and New Orleans meant Mardi Gras. Coming from St. Louis, who has the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, I was familiar with what Mardi Gras was, but I know that it is bigger, better, and much more fun down here (or at least that's what I have come to understand from Mardi Gras experts). One reason that Mardi Gras is important is because Mardi Gras exudes party and New Orleans is a party city. Mardi Gras reflects New Orleans' laid back, party (and drinking) culture.

Another thing that came to mind when I thought about New Orleans previous to visiting here is Hurricane Katrina. As everyone knows, Hurricane Katrina was a devastating natural disaster that New Orleans still has not recovered from. Aside from hearing and reading about all the horrible and tragic things that happened as a result of the hurricane, I also remember reading about how New Orleans still had Mardi Gras the following February after Katrina. This was very shocking to some, especially those who lived outside the city and didn't understand the significance of Mardi Gras. Since I wasn't down here for Mardi Gras, I feel like I don't truly know how meaningful and special it was to have it after the disaster, but through the news it seemed like an extremely wonderful thing for the community to have. Knowing that, I can guess that Mardi Gras is also important because it brings the community together. It is a very fun and exciting time for residents of New Orleans. Being able to host such a huge event takes a lot of organization and community effort. I think that Mardi Gras is important to the city of New Orleans because it brings together the community.

Although I truly don't know why Mardi Gras is important because I have yet to experience it, I believe that it is important because it reflects the culture and party environment that New Orleans has and because it brings the New Orleans community together.