It's Mardi Gras Time!!

Woo Hoo!!  That is what we heard yesterday - for three hours, non-stop!  And we wouldn't have missed it for the world!  Although the parade started at 2:00 p.m., we arrived at noon, like
thousands of others, to set up our chairs in the best spot available, sat down and enjoyed our picnic lunch, while chatting with those around us.



The crowds were incredible, but very respectful of other spectators.  There was no pushing or shoving.  There was just lots of fun and laughter.

We were lucky to be surrounded by four locals who were thrilled to see Canadians enjoying their traditional parade.  They wanted to make sure we enjoyed ourselves, so started off by giving each of us some rather large beads!  (See below!)  Of course, Marc bragged that he now had the biggest balls!!

And during the parade, we caught (literally) over 300 beads!  Although, for every one we caught, one of the four adults standing behind us gave us one as well.  They told us one of their friends was in the parade and, sure enough, he ran over to give the woman a big hug!

We shouted and danced with the best of them, and went home tired, happy and weighted down by hundreds of beads. Oh, and did we mention our throats were so raw, we could barely speak?!!