Just a Tuesday in Texas...or is it?

If you know me at all, you know that I grew up in South Louisiana and New Orleans. That makes me a die-hard Saints fan and a die-hard Mardi Gras fan. But it's been a dozen years since I've spent Carnival in Louisiana. Let's have a little Q & A with myself today as I toil away at my desk this Tuesday afternoon, in the hinterlands of The Rest of America Not Celebrating Mardi Gras. And I'm thinking about when I will be able to go back.

What are your favorite memories of Mardi Gras? 

Gosh, I have so many favorite memories and traditions!

Mardi Gras is a truly special family event, despite the scenes of partying you may have seen sprawled across the press your entire life. My earliest Mardi Gras memories are being with my father's side of the family in Houma, where he was a member of the local Krewe of Houmas. There was definitely a spirit of creative and homemade costuming at my grandparents' house.

Along any parade route, you'll see nuclear and extended families gathered together hours in advance, anxiously awaiting the moment the floats will start rolling.

When I was in high school, we lived on Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans, and certain parades, including Rex, lined up right in front of our house. It was always good to have a few six-packs on hand if you wanted to get some throws from the riders before the parade actually started!

Later, when I was a young adult, I lived two blocks from the main parade route of St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. Every time there was a parade, friends would come over to meet at my house for pre-parade nosh or drinks, and when we heard the sirens we knew it was time to walk out. On Mardi Gras itself, there may have been an early morning breakfast potluck with mimosas involved.

What about memories that don't involve parades?

Well, some of my other favorite Mardi Gras experiences have been in small Louisiana towns far from New Orleans, particularly in the region we call the Cajun Prairie. Mardi Gras is very different here in some key ways. Rather than a parade with floats, the "parade" happens at the end of the day. 

Riders on horseback will have spent the day making their way on local roads outside of town, attired in elaborate, colorful costumes. The Mardi Gras (they are mostly men and they are literally called Les Mardi Gras) set out from their respective towns with a mission: to visit farms in order to obtain ingredients for a community gumbo, including live chickens, which they have to catch. The riders are also accompanied by a band on its own truck, because you can't have any kind of Cajun celebration without music, cher. And there is nothing more fun than chasing these chicken chasers yourself from farm to farm. Keep some spare change handy, because one of the other traditions is for them to beg a sou from you, and some of them might make quite a scene if your pockets are empty.

In addition to the crazy goings-on outside of these small towns, you will also find public concerts with street dances throughout Mardi Gras weekend. Like the parades in New Orleans, these are family affairs where everyone is your nouvel ami. It's easy to dance away the hours in Mamou or another town, cold beverage of your choice in hand. I've even done this with my dad! (And it's too bad the Purple Peacock Dance Hall in Eunice has closed.)

Are there any least favorite Mardi Gras memories?

Ummmmm....yes. I designed very fancy ladies hats for almost 25 years in a fabulous boutique in the heart of the French Quarter, in one of the most envied locations among the elegant shops of Royal Street. Working in the Vieux Carré for the days immediately leading up to Mardi Gras (specifically, that Friday through Monday) was a bit of Purgatory, if I'm being honest. I could not ride my bike through the crowds so I had to walk it for about a mile before hopping on to head home. And inside the shop I think we spent more time being vigilant about our beautiful inventory than anything else. We had to keep the door locked for crowd control, too!

 What about Future Mardi Gras memories? When will you go back?

If you need some Mardi Gras in your life but can't be there at the right time, I highly recommend the permanent Carnival exhibit at the Presbytere, a branch of the Louisiana State Museum, right on Jackson Square in New Orleans. I visit it often.

But some reason this year, every Mardi Gras memory or photo that has popped up in my personal Facebook feed has really hit me with an undeniable longing to go back--at the right time. It's been a while, and I get tired of having to make my own king cakes. 

I took a look at future Mardi Gras dates to consider the possibilities. I mean, doesn't everyone have a list of Mardi Gras dates for the next 20 years readily available? I've got my eye on 2025, because Mardi Gras falls in early March and there's a better shot at some fine early spring weather. (Don't ask me about that time my girlfriend and I drove to Mamou in an ice storm).  I'm thinking I might start out midweek in New Orleans and then by Saturday morning, head for the country.

And also I'm thinking I might take a few of you with me. There are certain destinations that my clients really want to experience in my company, and I'm guessing this might be one of them. What do you think? Are you in?

In the meantime, here are some fun times ahead for 2023 and early 2024.

Luxe Loire and Brilliant Bordeaux (October 2023): Mix and match packages available for the wine and food lover (or just the French culture lover). Four nights in the Loire Valley, a fabulous but laid-back cruise on three rivers, and a VIP Grand Cru experience in Bordeaux. Only a few rooms remain for the land extensions, and balcony cabins on the ship are selling fast.

Celebration of Classical Music on the Danube (November 2023): Scenic river cruise highlighted by special itinerary additions for the music lover, with optional extension packages for Vienna and a Hungarian wine tour. 

Vietnam and Cambodia (January 2024): This trip has at its center an unforgettable Mekong River cruise. Note that category C cabins are now sold out. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months, but reach out if you would like to secure your place while three other categories still available.

What lies ahead, between the Mekong Cruise and our 2025 Mardi Gras adventure?

My crystal ball is starting to become clearer...I'm crunching the data and I can safely say that we will visit three continents in 2024. We will even visit two continents on the same trip, with no cruise involved! 

Join me in March to learn more.

Dallas clients may attend my Second Annual Wine Tasting and Open House at Stoney's Wine Lounge in Lakewood, to be held March 9th and 14th. In addition to providing info and answering questions for 2023 travel, I will reveal the survey results and offer a sneak peek at our Small Group Trip destinations for 2024. Click here to reply.

Á la prochaine!