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The Famous New Orleans Tradition Called Mardi Gras: Letting Out All The Stops Before Lent
Each year, the week that precedes Lent is a festive blowout of partying that consumes New Orleans society. People come from all over the country and even from foreign countries, to partake of this ultimate party called Mardi Gras. The point of this city wide party is to eat, drink and be merry before the somber period of Lent arrives.
The French Quarter comes alive with revelers of every description, dress and persuasion. Bourbon Street is filled with parades, jazz bands and traditional Mardi Gras foods in which to lose yourself in a celebration of life, with all of its vagaries. Whimsical, eccentric and outrageous demonstrations of the sort of life we are encouraged to disdain normally, come out of the woodwork of our minds, to be spent and shunned during Lent.
It's an interesting commentary on humankind, that we seem to hunger to get all the bad behavior out of our systems during the traditional celebration of Mardi Gras. There's something endearing about such a concept, in that we accept our human frailties and then, with the advent of Lent, demonstrate our commitment to a higher calling upon our spirit, if only for the 40 day period, culminating in Easter.
During Mardi Gras, we are allowed to be glutinous in our consumption of fine food, dance and song. Participants in Mardi Gras may tend to go overboard, in this last chance at being 'bad'. You'll find revelers in the briefest of costumes, hiding their true identity behind a mask, in true masquerade party tradition. Mardi gras partyers can be as outrageous as they wish, getting their last licks at sinful behavior out in the open. Voodoo shops on Bourbon Street ply their wares and sentiments, scaring the general populace with displays of shrunken heads and love spell accessories. The old cemeteries, with frightening crypts and headstones, amidst swirling fog and strange epitaphs, add fear into the mix.
When everyone is satiated with all of the worldly temptations, the raucous spirit is subdued. The first day of Lent signals a return to pious behavior and repentance, at least for those forty days.
Summary
Mardi Gras is a New Orleans tradition held every year to the delight and enjoyment of people around the world. The celebration came into being so people could have a great time before Lent comes around. Mardi Gras is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
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