Unfilmable novels

[David Morris]

http://www.mardigrasday.com/

Feb 20, 2007 is Mardi Gras (AKA Carnevale), only 5 weeks away!

I'm sure the holiday is unique in each of its local manifestations.
But the most "free" manifestation is the one in New Orleans.  And by
"free" I mean to include monetarily.  Our local phrase for MG is "the
greatest free show on earth."  In Rio (I don't know about Venice) one
has to pay to enter the part of town where all the partying, parades &
samba are happening, and the performers are pro/semi-pro.  In New
Orleans the Parades are sponsored by private "Krewes" and the paraders
throw gifts to the crowds.  There are many semi-organized walking
krewes on MG day, and you'll never see better and more numerous
hand-made (by the wearers) costumes, all degrees and messages of
personal expression.  Most people know nothing more than "Girls Gone
Wild" displays that are exclusive to Bourbon Street, but most locals
don't go there, especially on MG day.  Those are all tourists doing
what they'd never get away with in their home towns.  The rest of the
streets of the Quarter and the Marigny are where the locals are
parading, following brass bands with more funk than anyone.  Come to
N.O. Mardi Gras - it's a blast - but have a local show you around.

I love our Mardi Gras!  And my wife and I usually have at least two,
often three new costumes for pre-MG Balls, as well as Fat Tuesday, so
I've got a lot of work ahead of me these next few weeks.

David Morris

On 1/17/07, Monte Davis <monte.davis at verizon.net> wrote:
> With all respect to New Orleans, Rio, and other contenders, there's nothing like  in Venice for ambiguity. If the context is charm, all those twisty narrow streets and surprise plaza-ettes and micro-bridges over mini-canals are very charming. If the context is creep, they're *really* creepy.