Mardi Gras - French Quarter New Orleans
In the French Quarter of New Orleans the history and pageantry of Mardi Gras meet up with the hedonism of the district to produce one of the most surreal experiences you can imagine. Some have defined Mardi Gras in the Quarter as booze, beads and breasts; and while it may be a fairly crude synopsis, it is not an inaccurate one. The bars that line Bourbon and Canal streets spill out into the crowded streets forming a bacchanalian celebration. This is definitely not the place for the children. The traditions here have their basis in the long history of Mardi Gras - but they each have a carnal twist. As in the parades along St. Charles, beads are tossed; however, here they come from the wrought-iron balconies as an expression of appreciation for the displays provided by the ladies on the streets below. Masks are abundant, providing some anonymity for those who still cling to their inhibitions. Large numbers of American college students spend their Spring Break in the Quarter, adding their energy - and their excesses - to the celebration.