To be honest I was extremely nervous for Mardi Gras to come about.  I felt that almost everyone related me going to school in New Orleans with this specific time and I just was so unsure of what to expect.  Whenever anyone would speak about this week they would just reiterate the famous line "It's a marathon not a sprint," and with already being confused, this one liner did nothing to help.  The upper-classmen I am friends with never really told me what I would be in for, but with my roommate being fully stocked with Camel Back backpacks, lounge chairs, coolers and a full array of different red green and yellow tops I felt I was completely unprepared.  However, As Callie stated in post below me, It was very different than anything I assumed.  It could be the areas me and my friends chose to hang out in, but It was a lot more behaved than the pictures the media had put in my head.  I thought it was going to be thousands of teenagers only, drunk out of their mind, partying till all hours and just absolute chaos.  Although some of those thoughts were in fact correct, it was a lot more tamed. 

 I had such a great time, I only wish the weather was a little warmer.  I made it to most of the parades, Endymeon and Muse being my favorites.  Friday night the brisk wind made it a little harder to enjoy because everytime I jumped and waved for the beads I felt my fingers were breaking when catching. I loved when walking around I would see so many people I knew which is not common at parades especially at parade as crowded and popular as Mardi Gras.  Saturday was my absolute favorite day!  The weather could NOT have been prettier!  It was so sunny and warm and it just provided the perfect atmosphere.  The group I was with walked all the way from campus to Canal Street and although looking back, and the feeling of my thighs the next morning, made me aware it was long and extreme, at the time it seemed so quick and easy.  Endymion was worth the long walk, and if it were tomorrow I would do the same.  I got so many beads and the floats were incredible!  It got a lot colder as the night progressed and although the throwers of this parade were SO AGGRESSIVE, I had such a good time.  I loved all the festivities that Mardi Gras entailed such as the house parties, the late nights, the different outfits, the spirit, and overall the fun everyone seemed to be having.  It was such a great time and I felt so privileged to experience such events.  I was upset I was unable to see so many of the people we spoke about in class like the Mardi Gras Indians and the Bones Men.  But I did see many great costumes, intricate floats, and  had an experience I will never forget.