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In the pub last night, we came to a resolution that we need to go do Mardi Gras in New Orleans next year, seeing as we are all now in gainful employment.

So February next year, if you happen to be in New Orleans as well, let me know. Meet me, greet me, stick one on my chin, whichever. Would be pleasent to meet the faceless people I chat with / annoy on Dakka!

Also, any tips on where to go, or where not to go?

Don't go under water lol.

Show yer tits and you'll net some beads.

Never mind my moobs, I'll be wearing my Kilt in the traditional fashion, in the name of sexual equality, and getting girls to touch my winky.

If you go stay on the main streets. If you deviate from there you may disappear, like forever. I am not joking. And that whole tough guy thing is irrelevant when they have "neeners." Also don't annoy the police there. They are not bobbies. They will beat you, badly.

New Orleans has one of the highest crime rates in the US. Its the oly known city to have had a serial killer on the polic force.

One of the girlies I'm going with has a friend who used to live there, so hopefully we can get a guided tour of the safer places.

Also, much Geek stuff there?

1. Ok, a local will know what they are doing.

2. Geek stuff? They have a battlefield-the English lost you should love it Scot boy. They have lots of bars and if you are a music guy its paradise on earth. Awesome food and a lot of it. Casinos as well.

If you look west you see the vague swell over the horizon. It will be the edge of my ego...

Well you may want to be carefull even before you get there, as saying 'we're going to the mardis gras' usually means your coming out the closet son. I can't imagine that pub you were in was anywhere near where I was brought up, else you wouldn't have been posting.

But I'm going to see boobies. And lots of them.

In the US going to Mardi Gras means B&B (booze and, er viewing nature in all its finest...)

Well in the uk neither of those things need an excuse. + 'b&b' itself means something far less glamorous.

whatwhat wrote:Well in the uk neither of those things need an excuse.

Respect.

But yeh seriously I've seen that 'live and let die' film, you'll die!

Frazzled wrote: and, er viewing nature in all its finest...)

Sometimes nature ain't all that fine, however....

If you are out in the main streets, keep your wallet in front pockets.

Ultrafool wrote:If you are out in the main streets, keep your wallet in front pockets.

No. Surgically attach them to yourself by any means necessary. And don't wear any jewlery. At all. Not even your Prince Albert.

You will see things, man. Just, you will. But you have to know where you are going. Definitely not to do alone. Look up who is playing what events are going on before you go. Some friends of mine who live in New Orleans and I went a parade on St. Charles Street and then after that, visited some parties, then went to Tipitina's to see Galactic play till 7 in the morning for the Lundi-Gras night marathon show. There are plenty of things going on and it pays to have an idea of what you want to do.


Don't go alone, ever, and avoid side streets at all times. There was a shooting during the middle of the day on St. Charles(the GOOD part of town) on Mardi Gras this year. Wow. The criminal types are pretty much fearless in the crowds of thousands and the police are pretty much serious business at all times to attempt to compensate.

But hey I might see you next year, let me know what you plan! For all the scare you WILL hear there is a blast to be had. Just know what you are doing.

Summary: Basically all your typical Be Careful in The Big City advice here, x9 because hey, look at our wonderful crime rate.

Frazzled wrote: Also don't annoy the police there. They are not bobbies. They will beat you, badly.

Yes, yes they will. I went 2 years ago and had the pleasure of seeing a frat boy take a baton to the small of his back. Hilarity. I got a picture with the cop after he did it. Though I was surprised he allowed it to be taken. That said, if you do annoy the police its usually best to just let them take you down. The worst I've ever heard happen to anyone (not in possession of large amount of cocaine) during Mardi Gras is a tank-and-release. You lose a night of partying, but maintain your freedom.

It's weird really. You can get a picture with a policeman of him putting you into the back of his cruiser like it's no big thing, but if you do something stupid... just don't do anything stupid. They probably only do tank-and-releases out of the sheer volume of trouble they have to settle. I'd hate to be a cop during Mardi Gras. Not only are you not having fun while literally tens of thousands of people around you are, but you are on your feet running around dealing with drunken, often violent jackassery for about 5 days. Then they go back to normal policing in New Orleans. That at least deserves some respect.

Ok,I'll take a moment and play tour guide,I lived in new Orleans for most of my life(have been in GA. for two years now),and can attest to the what some of the other posters have said,plus add a bit of info.
First,NOPD is nothing to mess with during Mardi Gras,if an officer tells you to do somthing,do it,belive me you can't and won't win a debate with a New Orleans cop at Mardi Gras,they will jail you at best,knock your head off at worst..but in a way it's understandable,they are trying to baby sit a million drunk people.
also,be aware that the "French quarter" is bordered by some rough spots,including housing projects,Canal street is ok as is esplinade,but I would'nt venture towards Armstrong park at night unless your packing.
also be aware that the quarter will be full of pick pockets and street hustlers during Mardi Gras,so keep your hand on your wallet and recognize the hustle when you see it coming.(most are obvious).
I should add that it's a bad idea to do most of your drinking on Bourbon street (get a hurricane and walk Bourbon)go in the clubs and have a few,but cost wise it's much better to do any "real" drinking on Decature or Royal street (2 and 3 blocks up from Bourbon st),while I'm mentioning Decature st I'd be remiss if I didnt recomend that you check out Cafe Dumonde and Cafe Mesperos (the latter has great food and the former servers our world famous Biengiets 24/7).
If you have the chance ,venture uptown to Tipitinas and Muddy Watters,both are great bars with live music,Tips is just off Magizine street,while Muddy Watters is down St.Charles on Oak.
Ok,last thing for now,the Best parades IMO are Rex,Bachus,Zulu and Andimion,but all the parades are fun.
If you go just be carfull,use caution and have a blast,maybe I'll even see you there.
Oh,feel free to ask any questions I may have missed.

Railguns wrote:They probably only do tank-and-releases out of the sheer volume of trouble they have to settle.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. I know some of the cops in Madison (Halloween there is just about as crazy as Mardi Gras in NO) and they tell me that the tank-and-release policy comes as a result of processing so many public intox misdemeanors. Basically, they don't always know what happened, so they just slap disturbers with a generic offense so they can be pulled out of the situation. Protection over punishment.

Seconding the recommendation of Tipitina's and the aforementioned parades. It's a great time.(you'll want to get tickets ahead of time for Tippi's)

Ultrafool wrote:If you are out in the main streets, keep your wallet in front pockets.

Will be in my Sporran, seeing as I'm kilting it!

Also, where is best to stay? I'm a big boy now and I certainly don't mind roughing it. Googled the exact date (February 16th if anyone's wondering) and the first hit suggested Hotels, starting at around $225 A NIGHT. Which although not exactly out of my price range, seems a tad extravagant as all I really need for the week is somewhere safe to dump my gubbins, decent enough to take lovely young ladies back to (well, I can hope) and of course, has curtains and air conditioning whilst I deal with my Hangovers. And that does Brekkie. I like Brekkie!

I would recommend avoiding New Orleans during Mardi Gras. It is way to crowded, and that gets in the way of having fun. If you want to have more fun in New Orleans, go for New Year's. All the benefits of NO with fewer draw backs. Or go during the Jazz festival. I have been to all three. new Years is the best IMO.

I like the vampire, haunted, or vodoo tours. Take a tour of the Garden District they have some really nice houses including where Anne Rice and Trent Resnor live. Beautiful civil war mansion type homes. That is about as geeky as you will get.

Things to remember when you go to NO. It is built in a swamp. Every building in the place starts to decay and loo decrepit the day it is built, so don't be suprised if you get an expensive hotel that looks shabby. The best food isn't on bourbon st, it's in some of the local dives (go during the day).


All my notes about NO are pre-katrina. I haven't been there since.

Dude. I grew up in Edinburgh. Consider Hogmany licked and impossible to better.

Has to be Mardi Gras. If that goes well, I shall return to the US in time for Halloween, absorb the culture that has sprung up since your Independance.

If its too crowded you're too old.


NO Mardis Gras is the 2nd biggest party in the States (#1 is Times Square on New Years, #3 is Halloween in Madison), its a can't miss for the drunkards among us.

I may not be a drunkard, but I am a piss artist!

Been looking into flights now. Surprisingly cheap, provided I move fairly fast like. According to the Interwebs, Mardi Gras is on the 16th, with things running all that week. I reckon 12th for flying out, home on the 19th ought to suit nicely. Dates are of course mutable. I just fancied some non-Mardi Gras time to see things more touristy, instead of a whole week looking at knockers, norks, bangers, oomlaaters and stits.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh yeah, and any regional Nosh I should seek out and consume?

I'm guessing Jamabalaya is a must, as are Oysters. Any other must ears?

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:I may not be a drunkard, but I am a piss artist!

Been looking into flights now. Surprisingly cheap, provided I move fairly fast like. According to the Interwebs, Mardi Gras is on the 16th, with things running all that week. I reckon 12th for flying out, home on the 19th ought to suit nicely. Dates are of course mutable. I just fancied some non-Mardi Gras time to see things more touristy, instead of a whole week looking at knockers, norks, bangers, oomlaaters and stits.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh yeah, and any regional Nosh I should seek out and consume?

I'm guessing Jamabalaya is a must, as are Oysters. Any other must ears?

All the food in New Orleans is great,after all it's what we are known for,besides getting drunk.
I highly recomend you try the following,Gumbo,Crawfish Etouffee,Muffelettas,Beignets,Red beans & rice and of course a Po-boy.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Just to be extra helpfull,here is a very brief list of some great places to eat.
Joey K's located on Magazine st.,Central Grocery(best Muffeletta in the city),Domilise's Po-Boys uptown,Cafe Maspero's on Decature st.(this is one of my favorite places to eat),Cafe Du Monde also on Decature,Ralph&Kacoo's (in the quarter,this place is great),Zea's on St.Charles St,Tujagues(next to the farmers market in the French Quarter,Fantastic food),Cafe Pontalba(in the quarter),The Court of two sisters(also located in the French Quarter,this place is fantastic).

Mardi Gras isn't really a day so much as it is a season that ends on a few parades all at once. It would be good get there about 2 days beforehand to take things in and get ready for how crazy Lundi and Mardi Gras get.

Railguns wrote:Mardi Gras isn't really a day so much as it is a season that ends on a few parades all at once. It would be good get there about 2 days beforehand to take things in and get ready for how crazy Lundi and Mardi Gras get.

This is true,even though Mardi Gras takes place on a tuesday (hence the name Fat Tuesday) the festivites kick of way before then,I remember king cake parties in our home every week for a month prior to Mardi Gras.
For the most part however the "party" starts on the Friday before Mardi Gras Tuesday and goes non stop up until Mardi Gras day,the following day,Ash Wensday for Catholics marks the begining of Lent (a 40 day time of "fasting" before Easter),and the city returns to a more "normal" atmosphere,this time period may be the best for "sight seeing".