About 50 miles south of Alexandria is the town of Mamou in the heart of Cajun country. We drove down early, saw the riders as they were leaving town on their journey to get chickens and a variety of ingredients from farmers along the route. They would return to town in mid afternoon to make a gumbo and continue the celebration. As the day went on, I realized I was experiencing something more than Mardi Gras; I was starting to see how special are the Cajun people with their culture that appears to focus on their faith, family, and having fun.
If you have some time, join me as I describe our wonderful experience supported by photos and videos
(each link in the story is a video).
Photo Albums
As the
riders were leaving town, numerous
makeshift floats drawn by pickup trucks and cars followed the procession. Not many people were drinking soft drinks, but they were drinking and enjoying themselves as the
parade left town. Many of the floats contained a Cajun Can (sometimes referred to as port-a-potty).
We went into Fred's Lounge at about 8 a.m. and the
band was just starting to play. It's a classic bar where on a Saturday morning (and Mardi Gras), the dancing starts early. We enjoyed the revelry, took a bunch of photos, and went on our way.
Then
we got directions on how to join up with the riders, and proceeded to the
Piggly Wiggly parking lot on highway 104.
From there, we followed the riders in the courir as they stopped at farms. Along the way, we saw some
interesting sights and
enjoyed the floats,
the people, and the
sounds of Mardi Gras. While the riders were at T-Boy's Slaughter House, Meat Market and Grocery, we took some photos of them on their horses.
 |
| T-Boy's Slaughter House, Meat Market, and Grocery |
When
the courir continued, we stopped at T-Boy's, met a couple of
newlyweds who were riding cross country; then we went inside and enjoyed some hot boudin and cracklins.
T-Boy introduced himself to us, and very kindly, gave us a grand tour. We saw the
kitchen, the
meat locker, the
smoke house, and the
pens where
the pigs are raised. They are fine specimens. T-Boy also shared some
family stories. What a wonderful time we had!! We sincerely thank T-Boy for his hospitality.
We've been to numerous Mardi Gras celebrations over the years, and this one was most unique and most enjoyable.
Then we got directions on how to join up with the riders, and proceeded to the Piggly Wiggly parking lot on highway 104. From there, we followed the riders in the courir as they stopped at farms. Along the way, we saw some interesting sights and enjoyed the floats, the people, and the sounds of Mardi Gras. While the riders were at T-Boy's Slaughter House, Meat Market and Grocery, we took some photos of them on their horses. 
No comments:
Post a Comment