We slept in yesterday, catching up from our travelling day then had breakfast in our hotel. I had grits for the first time--it is sort of like cream of wheat.
We then went to the RiverWalk shopping area to see about buying some beads since everyone wears them during Mardi Gras--little did we know how easy they were to get. We went into a store I had liked the last time we were here and found the perfect hat for Glen. An alligator. I bought a mask and some earrings. We then walked into the French Quarter and bought some beads before having lunch at Crescent City Brewhouse on Decatur Street. Glen had crab cakes while I had a crab cake salad. Both were excellent. So was the beer. Because it was Mardi Gras, they had a great jazz band playing. It was so nice to see the Mississippi flowing by and hear good jazz.
We then walked down Bourbon Street which was a mass of people. Lots of beads were being tossed from the hotel balconies. Some girls bared their breasts but it was cold so most did not. We met a group of men with pink beads and I spotted an elder gent who I thought might tell me why they were pink since the Mardi Gras colours are purple, gold, and green. I thought they might have something to do with breast cancer but no. I asked if I could have one and he said I had to give him something for them. I suggested a kiss which he accepted. Glen was shocked.
Later we met a couple of locals who welcomed us with more beads. On Canal Street many folks were set up to watch a parade. Some had brought camp chairs and even old couches along with coolers filled with beer and food. We found a place where the parade turned and had a great time with a couple of women who loved Glen's hat. We scored hundreds of beads plus a plastic bag in which to carry them.
We headed back to the hotel to divest ourselves of our fortune and see if we could meet with our friend, Bernie. Turns out she was on a parade route over 10 blocks away so we decided to meet her after supper to go to the ball. Later she called to say the traffic was horrendous and so we pretty much figured the ball would be a no go. On the way to our hotel, we passed Emeril's restaurant which is on the same block as the Courtyard by Marriott.
Then we did what one is supposed to do at Mardi Gras, we drank too much. We went to Grand Isle restaurant near our hotel and had oysters on the half shell then crawfish étouffeé. We washed that down with plenty of beer then staggered back to the hotel.
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