How to go to New Orleans Mardi Gras
How I did it: I'd been to New Orleans several times but never made it to Mardi Gras. Finally a friend and I decided practically at the last minute to go - a Friday afternoon. We only had the weekend, an eight hour drive, and limited money.
I don't know what I was thinking! I don't like crowds and this place was beyond crowded. And all of them drunk.
We ended up in some out of the way bar and I drank too much. Next day we walked around New Orleans (which is my favorite city) and ate too much.
We waited until the last minute to head back home - didn't want to leave - and then had to hustle to get back. On the highway, just as we were leaving the city, we saw a car wreck with the covered bodies laying on the side of the road. Very upsetting. Having an anxiety disorder, my nerves were already shot but now I was feeling paranoid. I thought this was a bad omen and we'd never make it home. The ride back was miserable.
We got home in the wee hours of the night but still managed to make it to work that morning. I was sick all week and even had to go to the doctor to get something for my stomach.
Not my fondest memory of a road trip. Still love New Orleans, though.
Lessons & tips: Give yourself enough time so you don't have to rush around like a lunatic
Have a least one day to recover before going back to work
Don't go if you don't like crowds or drunks trying to molest you
Don't over drink or over eat
Don't get so drunk that you try to give the cabbie all your money for a tip
New Orleans is a lot different now then when I went to Mardi Gras, but back then it was okay to walk around at night on the side streets with less traffic. That was the better part of my trip. I haven't been to New Orleans in over a decade, but from what I understand this is no longer recommended.
If you don't mind crowds, love parades and lots of noise, then I recommend it.
Resources: A willing friend
A sense of adventure
