In one of my recent blog posts I talked about how I enjoyed the daytime activities, parades and crowds over the nighttime boozefest of Bourbon street at Mardi Gras.
Here is a glimpse of what the Zulu Parade was like the morning of Fat Tuesday in New Orleans. Enjoy. I sure did.
So, we left Austin Texas Monday afternoon at about 1 PM. The Garmin GPS said we’d be due to arrive in New Orleans around 10:30 PM or so. We couldn’t wait.
We’re headed to Mardi Gras baby! The excitement was rich in the air and Mary J was stoked with gas, beer and food. And Webber of course. And Couch Surfing Ori too.
While driving East we really had no clue where we’d stay or park our RV’s. The city was in such party mode right now, there was gridlock everywhere. We assumed we’d have to park a few miles out of town and figure out a way in. All the RV parks had been booked solid for weeks at $179 a night or higher. We had one prayer and that was Chad Mac may let us park at his place a few miles away.
Chad to the rescue. He said we could park at his place. However, he had something better up his sleeve. He tapped Rudy the concierge at the Ritz Carlton and let him work his magic. While cruising through Baton Rouge I got a call on my cell… “Hi this is Rudy from the Ritz Carlton. I have 2 RV parking spots right in the French Quarter for you guys.”
OMG! Rudy, you are the man! Thanks so much. And thanks Chad for being on the ball.
The RV spot was literally just blocks from Bourbon Street. We were smack dab in the middle of the madness. We couldn’t have asked for anything better! Of course it comes with a pretty price as well, but it was worth it.
So, was Fat Tuesday all it’s cracked up to be? I’d say Yes and No. Hear me out.
I had two separate experiences at Mardi Gras. The first was the wild partying, boozing, naked boobies, standing around like a herd of cattle on Bourbon and
Bourbon Street Fat Tuesday
During the day of Fat Tuesday I took my Macbook and Verizon Mifi card down to Bourbon street and broadcasted the madness for about an hour. People were loving it. (Especially the abundance of titties that were shown live). Oh crap, that doesn’t make me a porn producer does it? I need to go wash my hands.
Speaking of washing, I think I need to go clean my shoes too. The streets of the French Quarter are so disgusting. You always have to be careful where you are walking. One mis-step and you’ll be ankle deep in the nastiest mud puddle in existence. I pray that the streets are much cleaner today. In fact, I’m excited to see the French Quarter without all the craziness. I’ll probably take a nice bike ride around today and shoot some footage.
The second experience I had with Mardi Gras was a lot more family friendly. And to be honest, 10 times more enjoyable.
It involved hanging on the sidelines of the parades and watching the residents have so much fun. The action started early. Music was blaring at 8:00 AM and the city of New Orleans was ready to party.
People here are so excited and thankful because
Mardi Gras Parade
In my experience, the day time party and parades were a lot more fun than drinking on Bourbon street. Maybe I’m getting old.
I personally liked seeing the families and parade action more then the drunken booze fest. Of course I was still pounding Red Stripes at 10:00 AM, but it was much more pleasant vibe.
Recently I spoke with a guy named Tom Martin. Tom has a cool website called… My Mardi Gras Experience. You can see his site at… www.mymardigrasexperience.com .
Tom’s mission with this site is to change the perception of Mardi Gras and give people a glimpse into everything that is offered beyond the wild partying and boozing of Bourbon Street. Most people really don’t know this side of Mardi Gras because they usually only hear about the drunken crazyness and naked titties everywhere.
Trust me, it’s way deeper then that. And thanks to Tom for showing that side.
Well, I’m off to do some catch up work, eat a healthy breakfast and peruse the city. If yesterday was Fat Tuesday, I feel like today is Obese Wednesday.
I need a smoothie.
Hey friends, if you missed the Ustream broadcast today don’t worry. I’ve saved the broadcast and loaded it up here for you. I had a blast here in Austin and want to thank Dave Gonzalez, Michael Lovitch, Craig Allen, Mike Dillard, Randy Primm, Couch Surfing Ori, Eric Louviere, sweet Chelsea, my old school buddy Matt Speck and others I’m totally forgetting for a fantastic time.
I want to also thank Dr. Steven B. Klayman for doing a chiropractic adjustment on me and fixing my arm. Thanks so much. His website is www.drstevenklayman.com .
Anyhow, here’s the shows… (Sometimes I’m reading questions from the screen so it may seem like I have major ADHD, which I do, but that explains why I go off on random tangents).
And here’s some of the random comments towards the end of the show. Thanks for showing up ya’ll…
9:51 billclemens: Sell ad space on your face and get it tatooed…lol
9:51 shanehale: Yeah some people like to hate on tats My inlaws hated mine at first haha
9:51 lawtonchiles: Dude, are you coming to Tallahasee? If so, i’ll get you dinner or something.
9:51 jpkb: bumfights.com
9:52 shanehale: haha
9:52 couchsurfingori: Wow! It’s like I was there (whole foods adventure)
9:52 AxlMidas: As Zappa said some folks are Dumb All Over…
9:52 shanehale: That one casino will buy space
9:52 jpkb: gotta eat now, hawlaa!
9:52 remmm09: whats the coolest thing you’ve seen on the road
9:52 mrllcj: say it
9:52 mrllcj: lol
9:52 shanehale: they used to buy space on everything and buy all the wierd Ebay
9:52 jgillardi: 
9:52 remmm09: Im live here in Vegas I know what you mean
9:52 BrandonEllistv: I love whole foods. Prefer there over the mall or somewhere. Love the Yerba Mate Tea w/ lemon
9:52 GaryBloomer: Jason, gotta go. Great talking with you. Drive safetly.
9:52 shanehale: haha
9:53 IsraelHernandez: what’s the most gansta thing you’ve done so far??
9:53 shanehale: Peace and Chicken grease
9:53 shanehale: rock some blogtalk radio
9:53 remmm09: This is hella cool keep the streams coming
9:53 billclemens: It’s all good.
9:53 profitmoffatt: http://www.roadbandit.com
9:53 vmosso: This was great Jason… love the connection… this is really nice.
9:53 venturerv: This was fun – thanks – needed a break!
9:53 cashwriter: jason are you single now?
9:54 Krivc: How come you are vegan?
9:54 MikkoKemppe: Love the road bandit site!!
9:54 kenel: you coming to chicago, or what?
9:54 shanehale: http://www.facebook.com/roadbandits
9:54 kalamana: Thanks Dude HAve a good trip when you get to NY maybe we can meet up.
9:54 tascer: hugs and smiles sweetheart! stay safe, see you on the Oregon Coast surfing soon! and I do mean that, you need to give a holler to tascer “at” gmail dot com
9:54 MichelleMacP: You look great, relaxed, having a good time – enjoy your freedom Jason!
9:54 lawtonchiles: Dude, u got any cures for the FLu?
9:54 remmm09: do you recomend hitting the road if one can?
9:55 kenel: are there any vegan cures for the crabs?
9:55 lawtonchiles: really?
9:55 lawtonchiles: ok
9:55 AxlMidas: New Orleans.. Read ‘The Tin Roof Blowdown’ by James Lee Burke
9:55 lawtonchiles: thx
9:55 couchsurfingori: ok.. Randy’s here– see you in a few!
9:55 lawtonchiles: thanks buddy. keep rockin
9:55 billclemens: Old Bay..
9:55 shanehale: pliers
9:55 tascer: @MichelleMacP thanks for the bday wish, good to see you too are a @profitmoffatt fan, hugs
9:56 lawtonchiles: sho
9:56 remmm09: are you doing any reading on the road if so what u reading?
9:56 crazygreat: J check out http://www.cabobobs.com/ in Austin too
9:56 TheoPark: l8 jmo
9:56 jgillardi: Later Bro I just emailed you…
9:56 kenel: just end it with a babbaboey and howard stern’s
9:56 lawtonchiles: PEACE
9:56 MichelleMacP: Heya
9:56 BrandonEllistv: Watch Into The Wild Great movie on travel and journey
9:56 remmm09: see ya
9:56 shanehale: peace bro mo
9:56 vmosso: hasta..
9:56 remmm09: thanks for the stream
9:56 lawtonchiles: On The Road
9:56 kalamana: Thank You
9:56 remmm09: keep it coming
9:56 billclemens: Later, Be safe.
9:56 venturerv: Great book!
9:56 thomaseharvey40: c ya great book.. read it years ago ..
9:56 MichelleMacP: YEAH Steinbeck!
9:56 IsraelHernandez: Take care man
9:56 MikkoKemppe: All of the best!! Have fun in New Orleans!!
9:56 wendifriesen: good to see you here!
9:56 crazygreat: thanks for all you do bro
9:56 AxlMidas: Atlas Shrugged
9:57 Krivc: enjoy man
9:57 MichelleMacP: Steinbeck / Kerouac / Hunster S. best road reading
9:57 Dowappfanj: Hi Jason, how do you feel about Andy Jenkins using black hat forums?
9:57 RobNelson: Have Fun! Drop by for some Real Beer you hgh!
9:57 remmm09: have fun be safe and keep the cool
9:58 billclemens: And that quick he is gone…
9:58 AxlMidas: Cheers Jason, keep on Rockin’
9:58 Dowappfanj: that was good
9:58 profitmoffatt: Thanks guys (and gals), you rock!
9:58 billclemens: Dont forget to head out torwards Philly and The Jersey Shore.
9:58 tascer: @profitmoffatt so cool really enjoyed, stay safe
