Camped as we are at a plantation around 50 miles out of town it is easy to avoid such behaviors. I did adventure into town to see first hand the chaos but it didn't take too long to turn around. A lot of New Orleans is under construction making the city more chaotic the day after Thanksgiving.
On the Saturday we headed out to visit a crocodile ranch and find some Cajun food. We were successful on both accounts. Apparently in an effort to renew the crocodile population after over hunting, several ranches were formed in order to raise the animals. They try to balance harvesting the eggs and returning 10% of the harvest back to the swamps. Apparently these conservation efforts are working since there is close to an overpopulation of gators now.
We noticed along the Mississippi river levee that there were several triangle type structures that people were building on after Thanksgiving. We were guessing that they would light them up like Christmas trees. We were wrong. On New Years Eve they actually set the structures on fire creating a substantial blaze all along the levee.
We have noted before that Marti Gras is a season in Louisiana. On the radio you can hear the Marti Gras hymns for an entire month prior to Fat Tuesday. It just makes sense that they would have a Christmas parade in early December in order to kick off the season. Like the Marti Gras parades they have many bands, important people, and floats full of people throwing beads. The local parade is scheduled for December 2 so we will not be able to attend.
We did get to see the Marti Gras World where they put together the amazing floats in New Orleans. During the season there are around 77 parades featuring these floats. The entire thing is financed by people paying to be on the floats. The average float cost around 200 thousand to make. Each year all floats are decorated different from the last year.
They take Styrofoam and add paper machete before adding the paint. Old school was to start with chicken wire adding the paper machete and paint. The goal is to be good looking and light weight. Due to the local weather during Marti Gras it is fairly important to be water proof as well. Pictured are several statues from previous years. They try to recycle many of the figures. The lowest picture was celebrating the super bowl after Catrina. It pictures Drew Breese and was recycled from an old Tom Cruz figure.
Marti Gras isn't their only goal. Apparently they form all of the cows for Chic File. They also have a few Disney connections.
When breaking into a big city we have a plan that usually works. We look for a moorage to park the land yacht on around 30-50 miles from the metropolis mess. We take the dingy into town usually 10 miles from the target due to parking expense. From there we try to take alternative transportation, usually bus or train, into the center of action.
In New Orleans we parked near Tulane University. We took the old and famous Saint Charles street car into the city. From there we hoofed it to the entertainment. Bourbon street was a been there done that so we didn't feel the need to repeat this time.
Thanks for reading
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