carnival 2010

video by taylor davidson (used with permission)

The winter holidays might be only just over, but this year's Mardi Gras season is already in full swing. Last night Kate and I drove down to New Orleans for the Krewe du Vieux Carre parade through the french quarter, a very irreverent parade which reminded me a bit of Pasadena's doo-dah parade. (And off to a chilly start--it was 34° in NOLA last night!) Mardi gras itself is February 16th this year; the carnival builds up till then, when it all ends and Lent begins. Monday and tuesday of that week are university holidays, and even the school kids in the city have the days off. Check out Taylor Davidson's Carnival 2010 photos and videos on flickr.

Today we took the little dog downtown for Baton Rouge's Mystic Krewe of Mutts—this city's carnival dog parade, lead by King Cane (mascot of local chicken fingers chain) and Queen Vivian. Afterwards one of the third street restaurants offered complimentary water and treats for canine guests, plus a special doggy menu (hot dog without bun - 70 cents). It's the kind of thing that's doubtlessly against health code everywhere but which is embraced and encouraged here. The little dog turned a few heads with her cuteness but was very shy and nervous amongst all the other dogs.



Now: sitting around a woodfire in the fireplace, drinking scotch (glenlivet!), and listening to NPR. *likes*