Unspoken Truth

He insisted on leaving in the morning, I compromised and said the earliest I would leave was Tuesday after the parades. That evening we went to a party, then to the French Quarter and I acted as if nothing happened.

We were staying at the Ritz Carlton. I sincerly believe it was the hotel that made JB get with the program. The hotel is great and the service is on point. The second he laid on the feather bed he began to calm down. The next day he apologized for tripping. A good time was had from that point on.

We had a early dinner at Ralph & Kacoo's as a belated valentines day outing. Then walked through the French Quarter checking out the Antique shops and avoiding radical Christians. We had time to kill before it was time to go the bars, so we went to Harrah's Cassino. I hit the black jack table and loose $60.00 while that lucky bastard wins $220.00 of a nickel slot machine. Then on the way out wins another $90.00 on a quarter machine. He is happy now, and wants to stay until Wednesday.

Another great thing about the Ritz was the view. I was not able to catch any beads(I did accumulate a large amount before I left) but I was able to lay in bed and have a birds eye view of the parades along canal street.

It rained all day Monday so I never left the hotel plus I was broke down from being up all night on Saturday. Tuesday JB had me up at what I consider the crack of dawn to find a spot to watch the Zulu Parade. I had the perfect spot to watch the parade. It was also the worst spot to catch beads and the coveted Zulu coconuts. I could care less about a bead so I watched the parade while JB went to go find a better spot. The one time something was thrown my way, I almost did not catch it. As the item was approaching, I realized it was not a set of beads. I was a rubber snake. (In case you did not know I am terrified of snakes.) I did not scream or anything but I give the snake to the little boy next to me. I decide to go find JB and as I was leaving this old woman a few feet behind me says " you need to leave because you can't catch beads worth a damn" I was just done at that point. We laughed for a while.

After the parade, I learned something new about New Orleans. I saw the Mardi Gras Indians. I generally never leave the French Quarter so I had no idea what the big deal was about a indian. I ventured into the hood and discovered a whole new world. We were literally under the expressway along Claiborne Street. I saw the Indians Parade around through the neighborhoods in elaborate costumes. Initially I was a bit nervous about being there. It was like one huge block party. There were 2 stages with live music, tons of vendors with bootleg everything, and food. You name it it was there. Tons of shrimp, gumbo, rice, crawfish, even chicken. JB did manage to trick me. He was getting on me because I won't try Creole cuisine. I decide to get what I thought was a hot sausage. JB waits until I am finished to say I just ate aligator. I was not happy, but I could not front because with a little Ketchup that sausage was good as hell. JB seemed to eat everything in sight. He came to New Orleans to eat and be among his people. I have never seen him so happy.

By Tuesday night I was tired. I have collected enough beads, seen enough tits and dicks, had my fill of drinking and walking along Burbon Street. I sent JB to get me a PO BOY sandwhich while I watched Tyra and the girls.

With this being our first trip together. I think it went ok, we had minimal battle scars. The next trip I would prefer to be with a few couples and not in a place with thousands of drunk horny single people. Overall I had a good time and even learned a few things. I arrive home at midnight with no power on Wednesday and wake up a few hours later with snow on the ground. What the Hell