Mardi Gras - Part 2

So, we made it back Uptown just in time to see the first float.  The atmosphere was pretty good, lots of families out and people eager to collect as many beads as they could.  At first we tried not to get involved in the bead gathering but for some reason (human nature?) it's pretty impossible not to let yourself go!

There were all types of groups in the parade, from dance groups, to schools, bands, floats, biker clubs and mounted police.  It seemed like everyone was getting in on the action.....and everyone was passing out beads left, right and centre!

There was also some pretty cool audio / visual technology on the trucks going passed.  Currently trying to persuade Matt that we need to "convert" his F-150 to full parade spec.

Laura after a full set of un-separated beads literally just landed in her arms as she was looking at the floor.  It provided much amusement to some of the by standers too!

Could never imagine any of the horses I've met being this chilled out for a 7 mile parade!

As the 1st parade came to an end we decided to go get some dinner from a proper New Orleans jazz club on Saint Charles Avenue.

We then caught up with the last parade of the night:

One thing we did notice is how amazing the clean up crew must be!  The carnival finishes around 11pm each night Uptown and it goes from this:

To this the next morning:

Not once did I see a single street sweeper or rubbish truck either?!  Apparently they pressure wash and bleach the streets in the French Quarter (Bourbon Street) every night!

All that was left was to buy some King Cake - another Mardi Gras tradition and head back to Houston at the end of an eventful but fun weekend: