Mardi Gras 2006

Last Friday Mike Church broadcast his radio show from the piano bar of Pat O'Briens in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He had a bunch of people from the French Quarter bars and restaurants talking about how little damage the Quarter sustained in the hurricane and flood and how much was open for business. The high point for me was when Arthur Hardy, the publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide say that Mardi Gras 2006 would go on as planned! He also dropped this bombshell, due to the fact that some krewes are short handed this year there is the possibility that some tourists can ride the floats in one of the Mardi Gras parades. People who live in New Orleans spend more than a decade on a waiting list for the chance to do that.

Upon hearing this I called a friend and tried to set up a trip this Feb. but it was not to be. Anyone else who wants the details respond in the comments and I'll let you know.