Holly - Down in New Orleans...

Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras means something different than what it means to the rest of the country.
Yes, it is a time of celebration and gluttony,
but it is also a time when the city stops what it is doing,
and comes together.

Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras is a time when families put on the most ridiculous of costumes
whether they're dressed as Swiss cheese slices, red solo cups, or super heroes,
and head out to their traditional Mardi Gras spots.
It is only down in New Orleans that you can hold a conversation
about the pros and cons of catching the parades on
Amelia, Marengo, or Milan.

Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras is a time when you can walk down the streetcar tracks
and have overly zealous locals throw beads at you
from the streetcar window or dance in the street with a stranger
as if you have known them your entire life.

Only in New Orleans
Will you find yourself in a brawl with strangers of all ages for
Plastic beads, parade cups, or coveted doubloons.

To those who have never experienced it,
Mardi Gras might seem ridiculous due to the
outrageous costumes, excessive eating, and dancing,
but Mardi Gras sums up what the city is all about.
It is about coming together and celebrating what we all have in common.
It is about enjoying our culture,
and it is about letting the good times roll.

Holly, age 17