Among many things au pairs love about New Orleans is the opportunity to experience the weeks-long outdoor party that is Mardi Gras season.
They enjoy everything about this “crazy time” and “the coolest free show on Earth”: daily parades that roll own the streets, extravagant floats, high-flying Mardi Gras throws, tons of beads around their necks, buckets of doubloons, the bands, the stands, the costumes. Also, the roar of the crowds to which they contribute with all their enthusiasm and vocal power:
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!
See the list of Mardi Gras parades at http://www.nola.com/mardigras/parades/
CHILDREN SAFETY
If au pair goes to the parade with her host family, it is important to discuss beforehand the following issues:
1. Will au pair be working or just hanging out with the family?
2. If she’ll be working — what exactly will be her duties.
3. If she’ll be looking after a particular child — which one and what she should do when the child gets tired, bored, overexcited, hungry etc.
4. Rules regarding bathroom use.
5. Rules about hand holding and crossing/approaching the street.
6. Rules about not coming close to the floats to receive hand-out toys or special beads. If the child is offered a special item, parents should bring the child to the float to receive it, not au pair.
7. Rules about staying close together and not straying with/without child in pursuit of beads/doubloons.
AU PAIR SAFETY
The rules are common-sense but worth remembering:
1. Do not bring valuables to the parade. That includes money, credit cards, expensive electronics and jewelry, etc.
2. Carry your ID, credit card & some cash in a bag that you can keep track of at all times. Keep it zipped and close to your body.
3. Be mindful and protective of your expensive camera if you decide to bring it with you.
4. If you stop for a drink or snack don’t leave your purse or camera on the chair or table even if your friends promise to watch them. Always have them with you.
4. Don’t park on median (neutral ground) unless you want to get a ticket. Meter maids go out in force to give out plenty of parking tickets during Mardi Gras.
5. Be friendly but cautious when making friends. Do not go into people’s houses if you don’t know the owners and never wander away into secluded area (night or day).
6. Remember that in Louisiana legal age for drinking alcohol is 21 years old.
7. Trust your gut. If you have a funny feeling about a person or a situation walk away and join your friends or seek a busy place with other visitors.
Carnival is the time of festive celebrations just before the start of Lent, which in turn is the period of fasting and penitence preceding Easter. Although Carnival is tied to the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church and used to be enjoyed in Catholic countries only, it is now celebrated all over the world…BUT… nobody does it better than New Orleans!! (even though we do get a bit of competition form Rio).