Mardi Gras!

After being visiting New Orleans for over 20 years, I finally experienced a Mardi Gras party. The Krewe du Vieux kicked off Mardi Gras with the adult-themed parade, aptly named "Habitat for Insanity". My Habitat workmates, Grace, Joanne, and Barbara, and I attended and had a very fun time. The trio are so nice, hard-working, fun-loving, and, like me, wanted to come down to help. It was very enjoyable to meet them and make some new friends. Here are the ladies, pre-parade...

The parade was a bit late in starting, but once it got going, was a blast. Typical Mardi Gras parade (from what I have seen on the television), except for the biting sarcasm and overt sexuality.

Here is Barb, getting some love from a special friend.

I especially loved the digs at politicians of all flavors. This is the committee-to-elect Congressman William Jefferson passing out some "cold" cash.

In true New Orleans style, parents held their kids on the shoulders to see the sperm swim by.

It was really fun and yes, I caught some great beads.

Afterwards, we had a few drinks at Pirate's Alley and met many locals. There, like everywhere, the people are incredibly friendly and invariably, so appreciative when they find out we were here to help rebuild. One young guy shook my hand three times and later gave me a hug. He was almost in tears I think. And that has been the norm -- locals are so thankful. It really makes you realize that, while working at Habitat, you may be building one person's home -- but you are helping to rebuild a city as well.

Happy Mardi Gras!