Almost every year around Christmastime, my childhood friend, Lee, brings up Mardi Gras. And every time he brings it up, I hesitate because I loathe crowds and rarely drink. I would always tell him, “Maybe next year.” To which he would respond, “Liz, you need to get out more.”
Lee is a successful partner in an engineering firm and is a frequent traveler. Yet, New Orleans, Louisiana had always escaped him. Which is odd to me because Lee loves festive atmospheres. I’ve partied with him in Vegas and love receiving his texts and pics when he is in Miami for a long weekend.
When Mardi Gras came up this year, I surprised Lee with an affirmative response. Why? I don’t know. Perhaps, I am taking Lee’s advice to “get out more.” 😉 Coincidentally, while planning this trip, I discovered another good friend of mine, Connor, would be there too. Like Lee, Connor had never been to New Orleans and I knew both were in for a treat.
Connor and his cohorts arrived several days before Lee and me. I could sense the excitement in Connor as he and his friends walked the French Quarter and found their way to a bunch of bars on Bourbon Street that first night. Connor loved the music. Unbeknownst to many, Connor is an aspiring artist. He is a songwriter, music producer, and singer/rapper. New Orleans was the perfect city for my friend to indulge in music and, of course, alcohol. Connor and his friends enjoyed the flowing libations for the next couple of nights. Maybe a little too much…
After being in frequent contact with Connor, I stopped hearing from him. A seed of worry planted itself in the back of my mind, but I didn’t think too much of it. I figured Connor was having fun and simply being present in the moment. My cautious optimism turned to concern when I received a strange email text from an unknown number. It was Connor and he revealed his iPhone had been stolen! He couldn’t remember when it happened only that when he woke up the next day, his phone was gone. Naturally, Connor was dejected about the theft. When I told Lee, his response was, “Rookie!”
Fortunately, Connor’s spirits were buoyed when Lee and I arrived.
As we walked the French Quarter, we were on sensory overload! I’d been to New Orleans several times, but never during Mardi Gras.
The vibe was different, more lively. The electricity that permeated the French Quarter shocked everyone into a state of euphoria, especially the inebriated ones. 😉 Lee, Connor, and I found ourselves obeisant observers to all who had lost their inhibitions and were in various states of undress and demeanor. I could not stop watching! Connor felt like he was in a different world. We all did. It was as if Dionysus himself had cast a spell upon the revelers.
The debauchery continued into the evening. By then, I had had a couple of drinks while the boys had more than a couple. 😉 Bourbon Street was so crowded we could no longer move forward; we were at a standstill. So, we turned around and Lee and Connor found a corner where mostly women were exposing themselves for beads.
Lee, always the instigator, encouraged me to “earn” some beads. While Connor, always the protector, countered with a firm, “She’s not going out there!” And for the record, I would never go out there. Instead, I became one of the boys on that corner. Together we chanted: “Show your boobs” to all the women who needed encouraging.
I was having so much fun! I did not want to leave my spot when Lee and Connor wanted to get more drinks. In fact, I refused. I reassured them I would be here when they got back. Lee and Connor knew better and they refused to leave me. Connor had to trick me! He raised his hand so that I could give him a high five and when I did, he grabbed my wrist and propelled me forward. At that point, I gave up my resistance and we both followed Lee to a nearby bar.
On our walk and in my less than sober state, I thought I saw Slash from Guns and Roses! Well, a younger version with lighter hair. He said he got that a lot and posed for a pic with me.
We also ran into a gang of religious zealots!
The evening ended exactly at midnight when police, EMS, and fire departments commenced a procession down Bourbon Street to mark the end of Mardi Gras and the beginning of Lent. Lee and I walked back to our hotel and invited Connor to join us.
Back at the hotel, the alcohol took its toll on my body. I began to feel dizzy and ill. Then the dry heaves began. I was not in a good state and I was very lucky to have Lee and Connor take care of me. Connor held my hair as I retched. Lee kept giving me water to drink. Eventually, my dizziness and nausea subsided and I went to bed.
Connor flew back the next day while Lee and I had an extra day. Lee accompanied me to Ash Wednesday Mass and we spent the rest of the day touring the city. We took a cemetery tour and a ghost tour. Then, we grabbed dinner at my favorite Café Pontalba for its barbecue shrimp! We ended the evening at Pat O’Briens where Lee enjoyed their famous hurricane. Even I could not depart New Orleans without a sip of Lee’s drink. 😉
And ladies, Lee is single and ready to mingle if you’re ok with a boy who irons his jeans and cuts his bacon with a knife. 😉
Have a great week!
Lizzy’s Latest for this week is the Guess Bizzy strappy pumps. My review of these heels will post Wednesday of next week. For now, enjoy the pictures.
What an awesome Blog Elizabeth, enjoyed the content all the pictures and writings … sorry you got sick glad your pretty hair was held back !! What a way to end the blog with all the beautiful pictures of you in classy skirt and beautiful strappy black heels 👠 👠 absolutely breathtaking beautiful
Thank you so much for coming to the blog and reading my post, Mike. I’m glad you enjoyed the read and the pictures. I can’t believe I got sick too, but was very grateful for Lee and Connor. I don’t drink often, so perhaps that’s why I got sick so fast. Fortunately, I felt better a few hours later and could enjoy the next day fully. I’m glad you like the skirt and heels too. It’s one of my favorite outfits. Hope you have a great week! And keep sending me articles and pictures! I do enjoy receiving them. 🙂
Wow…what a fun time. I definitely like joining you on this trip this way than being there myself. The crowds and craziness are definitely something else. But it’s hard not to watch, isn’t it??
I’m sorry you got sick. Been there, done that and you would think as an adult I’d be smarter. But there are still times, it’s hard to keep track of how much you’re drinking. Especially when you’re having so much fun!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It was a great time, Jodie! Though, I’m with you, I prefer New Orleans less crowded. And yes, I could not stop watching. I have so many more pictures that didn’t make the blog that ranged from sweet to downright scandalous. And videos too! I know … I’m such a lightweight when it comes to drinking. Haha! Thank you for visiting! 🙂
What a fun trip! I love your outfit at the end! Those shoes are beautiful!
http://www.jessicabroyles.com
Thank you, Jessica! It was so much fun! 🙂
Love your outfit, you look great! New Orleans looks like it’s so much fun (it’s on my buckelist). And shame about the hangover…there’s nothing worse haha!
Sam x
http://www.sams-wardrobe.com
Thank you, Sam! It was so much fun. I definitely recommend and hope you get there soon. 🙂
Oh, what a fun- and interesting- trip! I’ve never been to Mardi Gras but I’ve heard it gets so crazy; how fun you guys got to experience it firsthand!
And we’ve all been there, girl- imbibing a little too much and then paying for it, haha. I always kick myself when I do this- I’m like, “I should know better…!?” And yet, it happens to the best of us. 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Yes! I think I’m one and done with experiencing Mardi Gras. I’m so not a fan of crowds. It was a fun despite getting sick. And, yes, while sick, I was thinking, “I should have known better!” That and, “I will never drink again!” LOL! Thank you, Ashley! Hope you’re having a great week!
omg stunning post
Jadieegosh Instagram
Thank you, Jade! 🙂
For all its debauchery and craziness, the thing about Mardi Gras (at least as its celebrated in New Orleans) that gives one hope is that it officially ends at the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday. Your post shows this. I wish every other Mardi Gras experience and retelling did as well.
Thanks, Dad. Yes, it was something to see watching the police clear Bourbon Street exactly at midnight ushering in Lent. 🙂
Wow looks like someone had too much fun. Well sorry you got sick dear friend. These photos though? Wow they are on another level. All the dangling and whatnots! Lol!!
On another note, this outfit is fire!! One of my favourites from you my beautiful Lizzy. Great fit and that shoes. Sexy chic!! 🙂
https://www.missymayification.co.uk
Thank you, my beautiful Mavis! It was a lot of fun minus getting sick from too much drinking! Lol. Fortunately, no hangover the next day. But, yeah! I was shocked about all the “dangling and whatnots!” LOL! I’m so glad you like this look! Hope you’re having a wonderful week, my friend!
Ohh my… Mardi Gras is definitely cray-cray in a good way. I can’t believe I missed all the fun LOL!
Glad you finally decided to go!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Cray-cray is an understatement, Radi! 🙂 Glad I went too!
Looks like so much fun ! I would love to enjoy all this craziness myself.
I really wish to visit New Orleans one day !
And I love your outfit, so pretty !
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Thank you, Margot! I hope you get to visit one day too! 🙂
You look so nice in that outfit! New Orleans sure is fun isn’t it?
I hope you’re much better now (it sucks to be sick amidst all that partying and fun).
xo Ros
Thank you, Ros! New Orleans is always fun and yes, all better. 🙂
Party animal!! Sorry that king Ralf got you.
Hahaha! I blame our friend, Lee, the instigator! 😉 Hope you are well, Bill!
This looks so much fun! Loving your skirt dear, so chic and edgy.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thank you so much, Jessica! 🙂