When the people who warn you ‘it’s dangerous’ are a little bit right.

Mardi Gras has been on my travel bucket list for over a decade. It definitely helps that my aunt lives just about 20 minutes drive from New Orleans.

I finally decided that this was my year, and I called her, excited about my plans, and hoping to squeeze in a visit to her at the same time.

When she heard my plans, which included spending two nights in a hotel in the french quarter, and two nights with her, I didn’t get quite the reaction I was anticipating.

 

 

 

‘Oh that’s great, sweetie! But…Mardi Gras…are you sure? We never go! I’ve never told you this, but just so you know, Mardi Gras is very dangerous. Dozens of people are shot and killed every year there! It’s just crazy! You can’t even move on Bourbon Street’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a visitor to the United States, trust me, I know.

The gun issues down there (in genera) are just wild. But as a traveller who frequently travels solo, I’ve heard all the warnings. From kidnap, to terrorism, I could be going to the town next to my own, and something could happen. But I’m firmly of the mindset that I can’t allow the thought of what ‘could’ happen stop me from seeing the world.

At the same time, I know there are very few neighbourhoods where random shootings occur with regularity. I reasoned that as long as I took usual safety precautions, that it would be fine.

So I somewhat lightly brushed off the warnings, and promised that I would be safe.

Fast forward now to Mardi Gras Tuesday in New Orleans.

I had purchased parade seats for the massive Rex and Zulu parades, which ensured I had a place to sit without waiting on the streets since 4am, and a bathroom that was reserved for those ticket holders only.

 

 

 

 

Everything was exactly the way I thought it would be. Colour everywhere, more beads than I could EVER get home with me, and an unbelievable buzz through the air. The floats were incredible, and the marching bands amazing. Our seat mates were friendly, and the bathrooms remained somewhat clean. It was basically Mardi Gras Perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-afternoon, the huge parades had finished. The crowds were thinning slightly, but there were still many families out, watching the famous ‘truck parades’. There was a slight pause in the action when suddenly, I heard several loud bangs (think of the sound that those annoying clapping hands toys that frequent sports games, and were often thrown from floats there as well).

Figuring that it was just an extra loud toy being used, nothing happened for a few seconds.

And then a vacuum effect happened.

As a Canadian, I am woefully ignorant of what a gunshot sounds like. I am even more unsure of what to do when you hear one.

The trucks stopped immediately. And then my brain registered that people were backing away from the parade route, and many were running.

I stalled for a few seconds, noticing that not everyone was running, so clearly, maybe, it was just a knee-jerk reaction. A car backfiring or something. The Americans beside us then confirmed that it had probably been gunshots.

Seeing many people still around, I remember pulling out my cell phone, trying in vain to connect to a lone wi-fi connection (along with the 5000 other people within my immediate area, desperate for information). In clearly a bit of a desperate attempt to get information, I turned on my data plan.

Less than 7 minutes after the initial shots, we got our first piece of news.

There had been seven gunshot fired around the corner from where I was sitting. Two people were in critical condition, and the shooter had escaped.

Less than a few minutes later, the parades started up again, and people gradually resumed their seats.

More news later that evening detailed that it had been an argument between two groups of people. The argument escalated, and the gun was fired. Eventually, one of the two people shot passed away.

Wtf, America??

The thing is…this happened in broad day light, in the middle of a huge celebration/party. There were hundreds of families and young kids around. Why would you even need to think about bringing a weapon to a parade!? This is an incredibly happy, joyful, freeing experience. There was a ton of security and an obvious police presence. Why not leave the protecting to them?

Did that event colour my trip? Maybe a bit. But Mardi Gras was still everything and more that I could possibly have hoped for. Will it stop be from returning? Never.

One thing the event did do for me though? It made me ever more grateful to be Canadian. I can go anywhere in my country, and it has not even once crossed my mind that I need to worry about someone carrying a weapon in their purse. While I exhibit the polite norms my country is famous for, I don’t have to stop and think to myself ‘maybe I shouldn’t do this because this person might pull out a gun’. We are incredible fortunate to live in such a country.

Sometimes, the ones who tell you ‘it’s too dangerous’ can be a little bit right. Things happen. But don’t let it stop you from experiencing everything you can.

Mardi Gras 2020, anyone?