Carnival 2011 -- Weekend 1

My wonderful friend (she who should've been my sister, the one who lives part-time in Little Rock and the rest of the time in Hong Kong) came for a visit this weekend!  She is what is known around these parts as a "Mardi Gras Virgin," in that she has never experienced Carnival.  We're doing our best to make sure she gets thoroughly de-flowered.  Here is a little bit of the stuff we've dragged her to (and made her wear!).

The Krewe of Cork's sashay through the French Quarter.

This is a friend of mine dressed up as champagne bubbles.  Doesn't Moogie have interesting friends?

The Irish Channel Marching Club's St. Patty's Day "Practice Parade" near Harrah's, including SIL#1 as a brand new member.  The wife of one of SIL#1's cousins says she doesn't understand why a bunch of grown men need to practice drinking and marching at the same time.  Well, it's obvious to me why they need the practice -- it's to get their "sea legs" so they can use the porta-potties on the float-in-motion.  That takes some practice, according to SIL#1.

Franky & Johnny's.  They make the best fried onion rings and peppers on the face of the planet (but, you don't want to look at the floor!).

A large black dog on guard duty as revelers head toward the neutral ground.  We sat on the porch soaking up the gorgeous weather in between parades.

Parades, parades, parades!

And, last but not least -- the Sophie Wright Marching Band and Spirit Groups in full regalia (the sound's kinda loud)!

There's still much more fun to be had!  I'm going to go revel a bit more and try not to think about union thugs and Ghadify and the NorKs.  I doubt I'll have much trouble not thinking about them!