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Carnival season in New Orleans is unique. Like other celebrations, families gather, food is abundant, and happiness abounds. But in New Orleans at Carnival time, there is something else in the air. Not something I can name exactly. It’s a mixture of decadence and absurdity. Sometimes the more absurd, the better. There is definitely too much drinking, especially from the “frat boys,” as my children call them. And the costumes run the gamut. But it’s the complete regard for absurdity that fascinates me.
I didn’t get a picture of myself, but I wore a pair of purple, gold, and green sparkly swirly sunglasses. I pinned a tiny top hat to my hair. My son-in-law had a pair of whacky sunglasses that he tried on Leo, my grandson.
Leo’s Mardi Gras shades. (photo by Katherine Simon Andry)
Here’s a picture of another baby we saw walking about. She didn’t seem to mind the wig.
Mardi Gras baby
You don’t quite know what you will see on the streets. Most people are kind and full of cheer. In my many years of attending New Orleans parades, I have never seen any violence. There are rampant rumors about it, but from my experience, Carnival is about having fun and the more absurd, the better.
Reflections on the Teche 
“The regard for absurdity” – love that. My one experience at Carnival was with a New Orleans based family and what you are saying stirs memories. Maybe that’s what makes Carnival special. I love that you captured carnival in a haiku which, to me, is often a quiet or reflective form. And I love the enjambment where the first line is both entire unto itself and necessary to the second – it feels like Carnival somehow. And, of course, those babies! And Leo – he’s already so big!! Thank you for sharing pictures of him. I love watching babies grow in love.
The places we go seem to be very family fun oriented. I’m glad you’ve had that experience. Thanks for your comment on my haiku. That image just begged for a poem.
Thank you for sharing! I have never been to NOLA but it’s interesting thinking that Mardi Gras involves babies too!
Leo!!!! So cute — I think he is going to be giving you lots of reasons to laugh!
We always keep a strand of Christmas lights up because my husband likes to see them in the snow. Maybe I should tell him he is just celebrating Mardi Gras now! We are expecting snow again today, so they won’t be coming down yet.
I just want to kiss little Leo’s cheek – so, so precious! Carnival sounds like such a fun time!
A phrase came to my mind–“acceptable absurdity”. A New Orleans Mardi Gras is on my bucket list; you’ve confirmed it!