I had to really psych myself up to go down to Mardi Gras in Soulard today.
Did you know that St. Louis has the second biggest Mardi Gras celebration to New Orleans?
After my terrible experience two years ago, I really didn’t want to deal with it again. It’s one of those days (at least for me) where all of the logistics make it more painful that it’s worth. Streets are closed, no parking, every bar has a huge cover, it’s cold…and then you wind up in a packed mess of drunken people.
I’m no fun.
Anyway, I decided I need to stop being so lame and at least go down for a little while today. My friends were all over the place – some at bars as early as 9am, others going somewhere completely different, others not answering the phone – so I decided to go to my older brother’s house. He lives within walking distance of the action, so I could park there.
We walked a few blocks down to one of his friend’s houses around 11am where I had my beer for the day, the new Budweiser Black Crown. I didn’t want to drink much, but had been wanting to try this one and when I walked in it was sitting alone on the kitchen table like it was made for me. (It was okay, nothing special.)
Around noon we walked a few blocks further down to the parade in search of my neighbor, Caitlin, who had a tailgating tent. After around an hour of walking we figured out that due to blocked off areas, we wouldn’t even be able to get to their tent. I started to give up.
My other friends were at a bar with a big cover even farther away, but I couldn’t even start to walk there because I couldn’t get through the parade. My phone was dying, I was cold, and I had to pee.
So I walked back to my car and came home to the couch, a big lunch, and some work for the class I’m taking.
It was super fun to hang out with my brother for the morning, and I’m glad I got a little of the action, but I just can’t hang with the cool kids anymore.
- Have you ever done Mardi Gras?
You are brave to head to Mardi Gras! I don’t like big crowds, but throw too much alcohol into the mix and things get crazy. I read your recap from last year, and I’m glad things were a little more tame this time around.
Clare just spent an entire post complaining and whining, and you call her “brave” for attending an event that thousands upon thousands attend each year? These kind of blind appraisals are the reason why Clare doesn’t realize how off-putting her attitude general outlook on life lately has been.
Off-putting attitude? Projecting much?
Just because you can write whatever you want here, doesn’t mean you need to be a jerk.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. Why post a rude response to a rude response?
Fair enough Erin.
I spend a lot of time in my personal and professional life chilling out and formulating intelligent and corect responses to situations like this. Today I chose to step out of my comfort zone and bluntly call someone on their stuff.
Was it the “correct” way to handle thing? Probably not
Do I care? Not today.
I’ve been frustrated by the amount of judgemental bullying of seemingly really nice people in blog comments… These people need to be aware of how hurtful they are coming across.
That’s exactly how I feel about St. Patty’s Day in Pittsburgh! Makes me feel old (at 25!) that I can’t hang anymore… Not that I ever really could
At least you had fun with your brother!
Glad it was uneventful and you made it home safely!
I went to the St.Louis Mardi Gras once and had the best time ever, but it was when I was 21… so I’m sure it would be a different experience now.
Let me tell you, if you don’t take advantage of fun now you will regret it later in life. As someone who now works all of the time and has no opportunity for fun anymore, a little crowding/cover charge/drinking sounds wonderful to me. Don’t sit at home doing some work for some class that doesn’t even matter, just don’t.
THIS.
I feel ya girl. My cousin had to finish my 2nd drink off last week. Enough said haha. I have never done mardi gras but from your pictures its different than what I anticipated!
“Streets are closed, no parking, every bar has a huge cover, it’s cold…and then you wind up in a packed mess of drunken people”
Being from St. Louis myself, I must note that you have painted one of the great traditions of the city in the most negative light possible. Perhaps you should consider your St. Louis readership who enjoys this holiday before you describe it in such a negative and condescending tone.
Okay, this has to be said…what is up with people making rude comments on your blog??? I was reading through your comments and started getting angry. Crazy people.
Anyway
…I’m not a fan of huge crowds of drunk people either. I’d much rather be home in my comfy clothes! I give you credit for attempting to go out, though. When the Super Bowl was here last year, I didn’t even attempt to venture downtown because I’d heard that it was such a crowded mess!
I have noticed the same thing! They are all so vicious and unnecessary. If people really cared that much then they would start their own blog and NOT use another person’s for their spiteful comments!
Mardis Gras isn’t for everyone. If it’s not your thing why force it, there’s nothing wrong with that. I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans a few years ago and had a blast. I had no idea St. Louis had such a big celebration.
I totally agree about Mardi Gras festivities in STL! I know most people love it, but it’s really just not for everyone. My first experience was 2 years ago, too, and the whole morning drinking/partying/large crowds of drunk people thing got old fast. Maybe it was because I was a few years over 21? Really, like I said, I just think it’s not for everyone. I spent Mardi Gras running a race, hanging out with my mom and dad and watching many, many episodes of Homeland on demand with my husband…and I definitely would not have had it any other way!