Blogs of the week: Everyday people on Carnival

Carnival is for the people, right? So check out a trio of blogs by New Orleanians who can articulate — with wit and candor — what it’s like on the streets during Mardi Gras time in New Orleans:

Liprap’s Lament – The Line allows the author “to kvetch a little, talk a lot, and express the love and insanity of raising a family in post-Katrina New Orleans.” The best Carnival post by author Leigh C. is this invitation: “Come join us this Mardi Gras – Tuesday, March 8th – if you’re in the Lower Garden District.  Starting at approximately 7:30 AM or so, the Krewe of Pancakes and Syrup will be serving up our edible doubloons on the gray brick road.  It at least gives y’all a place to pee on Mardi Gras day while waiting on Zulu and Rex.  Act right and bring something else edible and/or imbibable if you wanna, or just stop by.”

One Wild and Precious Life is all about simplicity. “I try to pay attention. I’m always learning something new. I get excited about little things. I live in an interesting place. Here’s where I share my musings,” writes Carla, a teacher. Her Carnival blogs reflect her appreciation of detail: “Proteus is the most beautiful parade.  The floats are built on old cotton wagons with wooden wheels, and as the carts sway, the flowers and other details on the floats shake and the foil decorations shimmer.”

What I Saw Riding My Bike Around Today is self-explanatory. And at Carnival time, the view over the bike handles is all about parades and people. Author Kate stopped by Woldenberg Park yesterday to see what was happening at the Zulu Lundi Gras festival. “Crowds, music, food, cheap beer, sunshine–it was fantastic,” she wrote. “I took this picture–which is too dark to show you how perfect it was out there today–and thought to myself, it would be impossible to be in a bad mood on this day in this city. I took three dollar bills out of my pocket and got a light American beer, watched the entire crowd slowly but surely start doing the Electric Slide in unison, and then the band did a cover of Prince’s Purple Rain, and I burst into tears. I am so happy.”

Sure, we could write about Carnival and parades, where to go, what to see, whatever. But you guys do it so much better. Enjoy.