April iteration of Mardi Gras

Flew down to New Orleans Sat morning. Kicked things off with the fried green tomato breakfast at Eat, a cute neighborhood restaurant on Dumaine St. Stopped by to see Diane, the Australian owner of Oonkas Boonkas, and bought another pair of earrings from her. The Patio Planters (the French Quarter garden club) were hosting an "open garden" so I popped in to see the inner courtyards of three townhouses in the Quarter.

Met Eric and Brenda for drinks at the Carousel Bar and then we went to a Bridge House benefit at Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. Blaine Kern is the major float maker in New Orleans, and Mardi Gras World is his "den". We were able to go inside the workshop where the paper mache application and float-painting happens, and we also walked around the warehouse to see some of the "greatest hits" floats up close. Would have actually never motivated to go to Mardi Gras World on my own, but it was fascinatingly surreal. The benefit itself featured a live band, open bar, and food stations serving yummy stuff like jambalaya, bread pudding and praline crepes.


These floats are big!


Crazy colors and lights on a dragon-themed float.


Awesome juxtaposition: C3PO, Superman & Buddha.