I know what it means to miss New Orleans

Another blog so quick? This must be the MARDI GRAS EDITION!!!!!!!!!!!!

And since I'm not parading it up, I have the time to express how I feel about this situation.

(I placed this as a note on Facebook, but I feel like my non-Facebook friends should be able to read it, as well!)

It's about Mardi Gras and New Orleans in general. Now, anyone who's known me for a few years knows that I used to LOATHE Mardi Gras season. Sure, the parties, drinking, beads, drinking, seeing family, drinking was great, but the roads were blocked (God forbid you had to cross the river when they were moving floats) and the streets were filled with drunken tourists. Seriously, there ain't no place to pee (or park) on Mardi Gras day!



Also, I don't know if a lot of you know this, but I was getting kind of fed up with New Orleans in general. The constant road construction, the crime, the random functions in the city causing traffic (yeah, lots of these are traffic-related...I've been a commuter for awhile!) just caused problems. I was sick of school, sick of my routine, sick of my life.



But leaving this amazing city has made me see otherwise. Now, don't get the idea that I'm hating live abroad. In fact, I'm very glad I came here. The people are amazing, I've made great friends, and I've got to see lots of different places! Also, the life lessons I am learning here are beyond value. However, I never realized how much New Orleans meant to me. How much the city is a part of me.



This is the first Mardi Gras I have ever missed. I tried 'escaping' on a cruise when I was 14, only to get stuck in port due to a river accident. I've always longed to be away for Mardi Gras. Now that I have my chance, I wish I were back home.



There's just something about the atmosphere during the Mardi Gras season. Everyone in New Orleans becomes your family. Plus, the food is amazing. I HOPE my family members froze king cakes for me! I put in special requests! And, although the 'adult' side of Mardi Gras is publicized more, the parades really are mostly for kids. One of the greatest things I see during Mardi Gras are the kids playing football in the streets before parades. It's like the entire city becomes a family cookout in a backyard!



I suppose I should say a little about New Orleans as a city. I am sorry for ever doubting you. You will always be my home, you will always have my heart. New Orleans has been through so much trouble throught its history-- battles, natural disasters, political problems, decades of bad football seasons, BP-- and yet we keep bouncing back stronger than ever. I have fallen in love with what New Orleans was, is, and will become. There is great hope for New Orleans, and it's due to the fires that reside in its citizens' souls. Keep on shining, N'awlins. I'll be back soon!

__

Bring be back to Bourbon Street,

That funky jazz a'playin' when I'm tappin' my feet,

Walk on down around Old Uptown,

I miss you, New Orleans.



But the river rolls down to the Gulf Coast,

Whether or not I see it,

Lord, I know, this is for sure,

My heart aches so, I miss it.



So just a' bring me back for that Bacchus parade,

Play me the bands, and I'll hear it,

Although I may be far away,

Toss me that bead, and I'll catch it.



This trans-Atlantic romance,

As sweet as my Mint Julep,

I'm gonna be back before I know it,

But I still miss you, New Orleans.



The Mississippi rolls down to the coast,

I couldn't stick around to see it,

But I feel her run right through my soul,

Bringing me home again <3



--Lauren Frederick, travel journal, written February 10, 2010.



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