What is Mardi Gras?
After finishing The Seamstress of New Orleans and experiencing the city for ourselves, one thing became very clear—Mardi Gras isn’t just a day or an event. It’s a way of life. From the moment we stepped off the plane, reminders of the festival were everywhere: airport decorations, signs at car rental counters, and beads hanging from balconies long after the parades had ended. (Photo: We took this photo Sunday morning after all the wild parties were done. During the day, you can see the beautiful architecture and decorations on the balcony. At night there were people having a grand time throwing beads into the streets. The French Quarters was definitely an experience!) Reading the book, we loved how this short passage captured the spirit of Mardi Gras: "Alice saw the continued concern on his face. She felt a need to divert him. ‘I beg your pardon, Mr. White, but what is Mardi Gras?’ "Oh, Mardi Gras. It’s quite a festival, I believe. In New Orleans, each year to begin the s...