Visiting New Orleans

I was browsing some pictures about St. Patrick's Parade but, I saw these set of photos in my folder. Well, I promise to post pictures of St. Patrick's parade later but first, let me share these photos. I personally took these pictures in New Orleans during Mardi Gras parade. I noticed that most of the souvenir stores in French Quarter area has this type of display.

It shows the culture in New Orleans. They love music and have a good time. Inside the store, there are plenty of souvenir items to choose from. They also sell voodoo dolls and all those black magic paraphernalia.

During Mardi Gras season, the French Quarter in New Orleans is crowded and the traffic is terrible. This is a fun place but, you should be careful always. Do not wander the streets at night! The food is delicious and affordable. The Southern Cuisine is always good you know.

There are so many hotels and few casinos in the area. My personal favorite is the Harrah's Hotel and Casino because I love the location. It is near the mall and the French Quarter area. Their buffet has a wide selection of great tasting food and very affordable too.

This is just one of the streets in New Orleans. We were heading to Harrah's for lunch before we head back home. Anyway, I miss going to New Orleans. In few weeks, we will be moving to Mississippi so; the thought of visiting this place again is what I look forward to.

Ocean Springs Mississippi #MardiGras

Some of you who are readers of this blog were asking me to post more photos about #MardiGras. I have all the photos stored in 3 PC's so; I am posting randomly. These photos were taken in Ocean Springs , Mississippi and if my memory is right, this is the Elk Mardi Gras. There are two parades in Ocean Springs that I can remember, one in the morning and the other, at night time. The town supported both parades in fact; both events were crowded.

Mardi Gras is part of the tradition in the South; Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Other's call this event, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras season culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is a big celebration of dancing, fun, eating lavishly before fasting and religious obligations. Before Lent season begins, there are so many Mardi Gras parades all over these places.

Mardi Gras is fun because families and friends gather around for barbecue and have a good time. If you never been to a Mardi Gras parade, you should visit New Orleans. If you love big crowd, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the best! Don't stay drunk at night in French Quarter okay?

I missed Mardi Gras events in Mississippi for two consecutive years now. Hopefully next year, we will be there! We will be moving to Mississippi any day now and we are just waiting for the final sale of our home. Hubby and I are excited! Thanks for visiting this blog always. Happy Fat Tuesday y'all!

A Visit to French Quarter in New Orleans

French Quarter in New Orleans is just an hour drive from our place in Mississippi. When hubby and I craved for beignet in Cafe' du Monde, we just hit the road and visit French Quarter. My husband loves the coffee in Cafe' du Monde because it has that great aroma and a Southern taste.

This is Cafe' du Monde along the French Quarter. If you are a tourist, you should not miss this place.

This is one of the streets in New Orleans.

French Quarter is a busy place especially in Mardi Gras season. If you love the crowd and party on the streets then, visit this place on Mardi Gras, Christmas and New Year. The streets here will transform into a party zone.

Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, the King of France

Here we are at the St. Louis Cathedral or  Cathédrale Saint-Louis, Roi de France where the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in New Orleans is located. Known as the oldest and continuously operating cathedral in the United States.

Saint Louis Cathedral is located in French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located next to Jackson Square and facing the Mississippi River. We are actually in the Jackson Square, a historic park in the French Quarter. This park was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Aside from Cafe' du Monde and French Market, you should also check out the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square if you plan to visit New Orleans.

Mardi Gras Day Parade in Ocean Springs

There is a big parade which is scheduled in Biloxi today. Hubby and I thought Mardi Gras this year would start this week and onward but, it started early about last week of January. We did plan to visit Mississippi for Mardi Gras and see the parades in Ocean Springs (day/night), D'Iberville, Past Christian and Biloxi. Before we could book a trip, we found out that some of the parades were over. We missed the Mardi Gras in Mississippi this year. Oh well, maybe next year right?

Here are some old photos that I took when we live in Mississippi. My sister-in-law and other relatives lived nearby Porter and Jackson Avenue so; all of us would watch the parade along these streets. Shown in the picture above is a group called Shriners in their Model T miniature cars. Cute huh? Looking great grandpa :-)

Mardi Gras is a very interesting parade. There is always a surprise like the photo above.

We watch the parade at Porter Avenue. The building that you see above is Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. My husband said, originally this building is an ancestral home of the O'Keefe family and they sold it to a guy named William 'Willy' Frederic Dale. He turned it into a restaurant and bar then, towards the end of his life he sold it back to the O'Keefe. Presently, this building is an elegant funeral home in the area.

Clowns afre always present in Mardi Gras parades.

Every time there is a parade, some folks find this event the best season on their business.

Most schools participated as well.

The well-applauded participants in the Mardi Gras parade are usually the police officers, firemen and military either active and retired men in uniform.

Cheering crowd!

A representative of every organization is present as well.

Here comes the firemen and gorgeous firetruck.

Shown above is a float with little krewe members in costumes throwing some beads and trinkets.

Here is another Mardi Gras float with Krewe members throwing strings of beads, doubloons, cups, frisbees and other trinkets. From the floats, they throw some of those interesting trinkets, plastic toys and cups to the spectators lining on the streets of Porter Avenue. These goodies consist of colorful necklaces, bracelets, beads and they also throw coins called doubloons, which are stamped with krewes' logos, parade themes and the year. Have you been to a Mardi Gras before? You should try it sometime. You will like it for sure. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Thanks for stopping by in my blog today. See you again.

D'Iberville Mardi Gras and Beads

Few years ago, I never knew that Mardi Gras parade would be like "catching beads" activity and it's from beginning to end. It was awkward to shout "throw me some beads" and raising two hands ready to catch them. But, everyone is doing it and I look like a fool standing there observing and watching the crowd fought hard to catch the beads.To enjoy the Mardi Gras celebration, I need to go with the flow of the crowd's thrilling activity. I am improving after three years of being around the Mardi Gras celebration in Mississippi and Louisiana. Hubby and I goes to one city to another city in two states. I love the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, D'Iberville, Biloxi and night parade in Ocean Springs.Well, here's the picture of my family down below. I was up on the terrace of a relative's business establishment.

Beads From Mardi Gras

I got a full bag of beads collected from two Mardi Gras parades. My mother asked for these beads so she can distribute it to her sisters in Christ.Most of the friends of my mother are flood victims so, the beads that she gave to them before must have gone and washed out to the river. Definitely, these beads will be sent for them soon.

Mardi Gras in Ocean Springs is Always Fun

I was checking on some pictures in the folder of my working pc and saw these Mardi Gras photos. I took these photos during a Mardi Gras parade in Ocean Springs, Mississippi in the Government Street. This was a chilly and cold season and though everyone was bundling up, the wind will really get into your bones.
There are so many beads they gave with awesome designs in fact, some of us got collectible beads. One of my cousins told me that when she comes back from her travels, she will provide floats and all of us will participate in giving out beads, sort of thanksgiving for the family. I am looking forward for that event. I remember the first time I went to a Mardi Gras parade. I was hesitant to bring a bag but, when I was there, everyone brought more than one bag for the beads.It feels funny that I was just standing there watching the fun atmosphere but, hesitant to raise my arms asking for beads. When I looked around, everyone was cheering and giving signals to throw 'em some beads. The more you cheered at them, the more they love to give nicer beads.There were two Mardi Gras parade in Ocean Springs that time, one in the morning and the other parade took place in the evening. The evening parade was fun but, the chilly atmosphere was even more brutal but, we enjoyed it. Most of us brought our snuggie even if we already bundled up. This year we will be heading to Mississippi and we will be witnessing the Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi, Ocean Springs and D'Iberville.

Huge and Lovely Dogs

I took these pictures a year ago during the Mardi Gras. I was browsing the albums of my PC and I thought of sharing these photographs here in my blog.Well, this community loves animals and in fact, they are not just pets. These dogs are not only friends but, they are their babies.The owners joined the Mardi Gras to showcase their beautiful pets.It was fun and the dogs come in different breeding and different sizes. Most of the dogs in the parade are really huge.

Dreaming of Cool Weather

I dreamed of the cool weather especially the months of January. I can deal with 50's and 60's where I can wear my boots and cuddle up with my two layers of sweaters. We have no snow in Orlando so, my version of cool weather truly is a cool one!Back in where I lived in Mississippi, we have at least 37 degrees and it just enough to have a frozen lake. It was an amazing sight, a breathe of fresh air, and the kind of moment where everybody just look forward for mardi gras . This is our broken bird bathe, just laying at the back of the house. The rain water is frozen solid like a crystal! I can't stay long at this area because gnats are truly bad at this time of the year. They would start attacking me and eat me alive, LOL. But, I love to stay at the screened back porch, I still can smell the fresh green grass and the freshness of the morning. I can only sigh for now.

Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi (2010)

Here are some of the pictures I took during the Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi, Mississippi. The floats were gigantic with different theme. Here is a pirate float and the people on the float wore pirate costumes. They look so amazing but, the crowd is screaming for beads....that is the important.
I am not sure of this float but, I think he is ZEUS..... in a palace?
head of the king then....
The sideview of the pirate float.