Green and Gold in the Big Easy ( St Pattys)

While driving to New Orleans took a little more time than I had planned it was SOOOOOO worth it. If you think that St. Patricks day wouldnt  be a big deal in New Orleans you would be so wrong. These people will do anything for a parade. While the actual holiday was on the 17th the party and hence parade was on the 20th. A huge parade in Metairie ,a suburb of New Orleans has us knocking on a friends door for a good place to catch the parade. The population of the area is not primarily Irish, but the green and gold sparkle like everyone was born on the Emerald Isle. As we make our way down to main street, you can feel the excitement as friends and family gather together to tailgate and enjoy the parade. You can hear the music long before you see the floats. The parades for St. Patricks day will rival Mardi Gras and while the turn out isnt made up of tourists  its even better because these are the people of the area the families and friends that gather just to let the woes of the day slip away and have a party. And Oh what a party it is... the floats glide by to the sounds of the children and adults for that matter yelling for small treasures that are tossed from above.  Mardi gras can have its beads today small trinkets and candy are thrown along with the special items which are mostly produce…. I know it sounds a little crazy but yes they throw carrots, onions and potatoes and if youre really lucky youll snag a cabbage or two. The music plays on and smiles abound. With our bags full of goodies we head home. While we didnt  find the pot of gold I think we have enough to make a really great soup…. Happy St. Patrick’s day