2018 MARDI GRAS PARTY!
But first a little background on my hosting during Mardi Gras. My father's side of the family is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. So roughly 10 years ago I started to go there just for the hell of it during World Famous Mardi Gras, One of the biggest and best outdoor parties in the US! Because I learned a long time ago that it costs roughly the same amount of money to get a hotel room with two beds as it does for just a single bed, I always get two beds. That way I can invite friends and now thanks to Couchsurfing, strangers alike to share in the experience, all for free!
Though because I am offering you what basically amounts to free room and board ( The hotel has free WiFi and breakfast ), I do have some restrictions which some people think might be a little strict. But please keep in mind, that this is my vacation time. I am there to have a good time, and I am generous enough to share that with other people, and FOR FREE mind you! So I think I have the right to be a little picky in who I choose to have stay with me. Below are some things you can expect and/or should not have a problem with if you want to have a really good time in New Orleans during Mardi Gras!
2018 MARDI GRAS INFO
 |
| Slightly old photo since I have lost 60 pounds since it was taken ( No carbs, sugar, junk food & hitting the gym 5 days a week) |
- ALCOHOL: Mardi Gras is a party that is all about drinking, and drinking to excess! I actually hate the taste of alcohol, especially beer, and that is no lie. But I LOVE being drunk. So I am what you would call a binge drinker. Though I drink maybe 3 to 4 times a year, usually at parties, outdoor events, festivals in Europe, and that's about it. Anyone who wants to stay with me during Mardi Gras has to be at least 21 years old (because they do card in the US) and enjoy drinking and partying as much as I do. If you do not drink, then it's probably best if you do not send me a request.
- NUDITY: There is a lot of nudity at Mardi Gras. Not as much as there was in the past, as the mayor is trying to make Mardi Gras a little more family or tourist friendly. But there is still quite a lot, especially for an American Festival. It is not uncommon to see naked people walking around in the streets and definitely in the clubs, both gay, straight and in-between. So if you want to stay with me, you should not have a problem with nudity, either your own or that of others. Especially since we are all sharing the same hotel room, bathroom and shower. The friends I host are also mostly from Europe; so they do not have the same nudity hand-ups or taboos that Americans have, especially my Scandinavian friends. So please keep this in mind.
- SEX: Once again Mardi Gras is an adult themed, alcohol fueled party! So naturally with the alcohol flowing like it does, there will be some sex. This can be in the streets, in the clubs, in the bars and especially in the hotel room where we stay. If you don't believe me, just look at some of the pictures throughout my blog from past Mardi Gras visits. And these are some of the tamers pictures I took or some of the things I have actually seen in person each and every time I go. I just like to let people know what to expect if they decide to come to New Orleans (Hell even off season it can be like this!)
- COSTUMES: Now you don't actually have to wear a costume if you don't want to. But Mardi Gras is actually a type of Carnival (Faschings Dienstag in Germanic countries) , so it is normal to wear something at least festive. What you wear is up to you. My friends from Austria usually wear lederhosen and that works just fine. The more attention you can attract, the better your chances of making new friends (or getting laid). I always bring furry pimp hats and other party themed stuff to wear or give away, so I will have extras on me. But if you have some traditional garb from your country, by all means please bring it.
- DIVERSITY: This is kind of a must for Mardi Gras, and I am not just talking about the sex and nudity. Having been born and raised in California to a French mother, automatically makes me a lot more open or liberal than most people. Especially when compared to other Americans. So I put this out there so people realize that they might see or experience things they are not use to, like gay or lesbian people, or people in drag and so on (there are a lot of people in drag during Mardi Gras). All of which is quite common during Mardi Gras, and truth be told a lot of the gay clubs have better music and they are cheaper to get into and drink at. Plus I have hosted gay or bi people in the past, and some of my good friends are exotic dancers (i.e. strippers & Porn Stars here in Los Angeles) during Mardi Gras. So basically if you are a prude, Mardi Gras is probably not the place for you. Just a friendly warning and heads up.
- PARTICIPATION: Each year me and my friends try to participate in Mardi Gras in some way, and not just be a typical observer/tourist. We usually do this by getting a balcony to ourselves and throwing beads (or other gifts) to people walking by, or if we are lucky enough we actually get on a Parade Float. I get promo stuff from my work so I always have prsents, hats and inflatable farm animals...You know the usual stuff. So anyone who wishes to stay with us should plan to actually participate in various events. So we are a part of the whole Mardi Gras experience.
Now with all of that said and done, if you are Okay with the above mentioned and do not have any such hang ups when it comes to drinking, partying, alcohol, nudity or sex! Then by all means please send me an email (including RECENT photos of yourself proving you are a fun party person), asking to stay with me and my friends during Mardi Gras to mardigrasparty@yahoo.com. Keeping in mind that I need to See and Hear from anyone who wants to stay with me. I will not host groups of more than 2 people and I will not host anyone who is not at least 21 years old, as you will be carded from time to time during Mardi Gras. People from Europe, especially Scandinavia, move to the front of the line as it were. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me anything at all. Keep in mind that the next time after this past Mardi Gras 2017 that I will be hosting people is next
February 5th through February 15th, 2018 (I already have the hotel suite reserved and paid for). Please feel free to send in a request now, as I will have limited space. I usually host 4 to 5 people tops, and my friends from Europe get first priority, and then I open it up to random Couchsurfers.
