February 28, 2006
Fat Tuesday
Today is Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday". The last day before the start of Lent.
In New Orleans it's one of the biggest days of the year. A big part of their personality, and of their tourist economy. It's a week long event which wraps up today.
Reports are that, contrary to the post-Katrina fears last fall, Mardi Gras is being held successfully in the Big Easy. But not without challenges.
The city has some 200 fewer cops than they did a year ago, and only 2 of the area's 9 Emergency Rooms are really functioning.
But I congratulate those affected by this not-totally-natural disaster, for making a comeback, and I'm wishing I was down there throwing beads myself.