mardi gras minute

Mardi Gras day on Canal Street in one minute:



And, "Mardi Gras Indians take to the streets in centuries-old spiritual tradition":



More video of the street festivities, costumes, revelry, and Mardi Gras traditions at NOLA.com and The Times Picayune.

In late January, The Frugal Traveler headed to New Orleans for what turned out to be the travel yogi's easiest frugal assignment ever.  Deliberately avoiding spending in the French Quarter and any "ramp-up" to Mardi Gras .. well .. 5 days of transcendent eating and drinking, walking and biking, and .. what else? .. incredible free music.

*Photo credit/New York Times/photographer: Seth Kugel/Big Fisherman Seafood in New Orleans