Party Gras 2010.

This weekend I am partaking in what has, oddly enough, become a constant in my life: St. Louis Mardi Gras.  This will be my fifth trip in the last six years, which is fitting because I spent four fantastic years of college in the Lou.  The Mardi Gras festivities are held in Soulard, a historic neighborhood just south of downtown and in the shadow of Budweiser's world headquarters.  A city founded by French Settlers, named after a King, and sold by Naploeon to the United States defines French influence in the Midwest.  Lasting loyalties to traditions française make for a hell of a celebration; tens of thousands of patrons will hit the street in "party mode" on Saturday alone.

I made some of my best memories in the past years at this festive monstrosity.  Oh sure, the partying is fun, but Mardi Gras is one of those places where you think, "did that just happen?"  Absolutely.  It's a time for me to see those people I miss dearly and act like we have never been away from each other.  I make friends for life and if our only reunions are at drunken Lenten celebrations then so be it.

So here I share wisdom from what I have learned.

• Freshman year: Attending Mardi Gras with a large group, including people you don't even like, is a poor idea.  Cell phones don't work when thousands of people are using theirs around you so don't get lost.  Furthermore, Union Station is more than "a few blocks" away.  Try miles.
• Junior year:  No breakfast of champions is incomplete without Andre mimosas.  Later, we learned from past mistakes and found that a much longer, happier day can be accomplished with fake IDs and the discovery of a heated tent.  
• Senior year:  Cops will enjoy, and place bets, on fights in the snow between you and your boyfriend.  You will conquer.  Later, when you discover a boa constrictor on your shoulders, don't be afraid.  Snow ball fights may ensue between you, your friends, and grown men dressed like Muppets.  When you fall on the sidewalk and hit the back of your head on concrete then it's time to be afraid.  Sure, you have a concussion but you're too dizzy to recognize it and your friends are too drunk to notice.
• 2009, post-college:  No more college apartment, you got a hotel room!  Your foreigner cab driver will offer a reduced fare for certain "Mardi Gras exposure."  Sick.  Note to men: women are wearing four layers of clothing because it's 30 degrees outside so stop screaming "BOOBIES!" you ignorant jerks.  Hurricanes are cheaper off the side streets.  Eating an entire large Imo's pizza will give you a second wind.  If your friend's idiot [now ex] boyfriend finds himself in East St. Louis, let him rot.

I've lived, I've learned, I pretty much love it.  C'est la vie and here's to 2010!

2007

 

2008

 

2009