India Adventure: Mardi Gras in New Delhi

The first care package sent to us from the United States was from my sister: a box full of doubloons, beads, masks and plastic cups along with a CD filled with the tunes of Mardi Gras……….the box took over 2 months to reach us, probably due to baffling the agents in customs……….and by that time Mardi Gras was long past………..bit the spirit remained.

The Mardi Gras "Care Package"

It has been said that people from New Orleans can move away, but you can never take New Orleans out of them…………….I am here to tell you that the spirit of New Orleans is alive and well even in New Delhi India.

The "Love Guru" and his gals!

A few Saturday nights ago, Linda and I were invited to the annual Mardi Gras party thrown by some friends, Janet and Jack……………..Janet, is a New Orleanian through and through………….even after living in all parts of the world, and in New Delhi for the past 15+ years, she is testament that you simply cannot remove New Orleans from a native. She hasn’t even lost her accent!

Happy Mardi Gras!

Janet and Jack’s Mardi Gras parties are famous here in Delhi………..they have been hosting it every year at their farm home………..This year, Janet and Jack moved their family right down to the end of our street……..which was extremely convenient considering I was traveling and getting into town literally minutes before the party began and not knowing what costume I was going to wear!

Linda and I before leaving for the party!

I decided that I would put on my New Orleans Saints pajama bottoms and the Saints shirt my mom gave me at Christmas…………..with that big gold Fleur-de-lis on the chest………and the mask my sister sent us three years ago………….after a few quick pictures at the house, we were off to party!

Jack as a Talosian and "Wille Nelson"

We were greeted by Jack……….who had crafted a Star Trek Talosian ……………..who explained that Janet was still getting ready…………..he explained that earlier in the day their cook had decided to quit on the day of the party…………….and Janet was running a bit behind with getting her costume on.

Janet handing out Mardi Gras Beads

In typical New Orleans style, we were told where the food was and then escorted to the bar which was on the roof of their new home.

Tent Walla magic in New Delhi

Linda and I were both amazed at what the “Tent Walla” was able to do……………the terrace had been transformed into Mardi Gras Central……….Purple, Green and Gold fabric above our heads…….the music was spilling out Mardi Gras tunes and the weather was perfect………..

Party goers and Janet and Jack in the background!

It made Linda and I both homesick for the real thing…………..brought back many memories of good times with old friends………….for a minute it was surreal………the costumes, the people from all different countries……I never would have dreamed in my life that I would ever celebrate Mardi Gras in India…….but it happened………..the night was magical in many ways.

Our friends Don and Mari

Now picture this………….I am standing near the entrance to the party………..and in walks a man in costume…….and he taps me on the shoulder and says in a strong French accent …..”you are wearing the shirt of the football team from New Orleans”……to which I replied………..”Why yes………….have you been to New Orleans?”……………

Marc and his wife arriving at the party!

He proudly stated “I was born in New Orleans”……………..to make a long story short, my new French friend wearing formal Chinese dress with a heart painted on his face and I have much in common.

Me and Marc

While we were born one year apart, we share the same city of birth and the same birthday……….another “incredible” India story………….this year my new friend, Marc Antoine, will celebrate our birthdays in New Delhi together this August…………..maybe in costume once again…..who knows?