It's That Time of Year Again

Happy HALLOWEEN

Mardi Gras

Did you know Mardi Gras is a religious holiday? One wouldn't think it was the case. The Mardi Gras I know if is filled with stories of enormous costumed parties, liquor induced debauchery and the ever fascinating women who are so enveloped by Carnival, they become more than willing to expose there naked breasts for a mere trinket of a string of colored beads. Ahhh, Carnival. This sells nothing short of a Girls Gone Wild filmography, minus the triple "x" rating, and I'm not at all opposed to this practice, in fact, being a man of sound sexuality, I endorse it fully.

Where did this wonderful tradition come from? Wikipedia.com, the collection of all human knowledge, says Mardi Gras is french for "Fat Tuesday."

It gives metion that it marks the end of Carnival and the beginning of Lent, a 40 day fasting period where eating meat and other foods is forbidden. But, what the hell does that have to do with boobies?! I looked it up through Google and clicked the Wikipedia link about Mardi Gras in New Orleans, because this is the only big Mardi Gras celebration that I know of. Nothing useful. But it does give reference to it being around since 1889. No answers to where it originated, but I'm content with that.

During Carnival, the celebrations last weeks, but really picks up during the last 5 days, where there's a major parade every day. Krewes (yeah, it's spelled right), the parade people, throw beads, coins and whatever they like form the floats at the revelers to promote their krewe. And dressing up in masquerade has been going on since the middle ages, but they seem more Victorian era to me, which suits me fine.

Mardi Gras comes in all differnt countries, I think it started in Italy, then grew to the rest of Europe and beyond. Each country seems to have it's own unique style of costume for the festival. France appears to be more like an elaborate Victorian mime. Silent and they come in groups, like a troupe of Victorian mime actors.







Italians seem more joker-esque and mischievious.










In Rio de Janeiro, the parades are huge choreographed productions. Nudity isn't much of a problem there and scantily clad women dance and parade around in celebration. Who knows how it started but, there it is. Brazil's Carnival advertises it's self as the Mother-of-all Carnival party town.

It would appear that Brazil takes this King Cake. I think that's where it all began. Cheers!