When I told my friends I was coming to school down here they all said "we're going to come visit you for Mardi Gras". Of course none of them followed through on this promise, but Mardi Gras is the intial thought of the general American public when they here New Orleans. After living here for a few months, I have realized that the city is so much more than just Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street.

New Orleans has taken a complete shift in the jobs available to workers. While the port city used to be full of ship workers (who have now been replaced by machines), it now has a large portion of workers in the tourism industry. Mardi Gras is by far the biggest event in New Orleans every year and the biggest carnival in the country. It brings in many tourists from all over to come celebrate and SPEND MONEY. These visitors spend thousands on hotels, food and ALCOHOL. While Mardi Gras is rich in culture, the commerce aspect cannot be overlooked.

Mardi Gras showcases the food, culture and spirit of New Orleans. Without this massive event, people would not know what New Orleans is about. Mardi Gras gives New Orleans an identity.