Sun., 10 Feb 13

I managed to get on the net (Sunday morning) to do the Saturday blog. I did the Sunday blog as well. They are installing a totally new Wi-Fi system in the park on Monday and they are not sure what will happen in the mean time. If I am off for a few days don't be surprised. 

Yesterday was perfectly sunny and clear - today it is totally overcast. The temperatures don't seem to swing as much here due to the influence of the waters of Mobile Bay and the nearby Gulf of Mexico. It will be cooler here than central Florida which was running about 10 degrees above normal. We expect mid 50's to high 60's F for the next week or so. There is also the possibility of thundershowers, as well.

Wow! A local "Tornado Warning" on TV. At least it is well north of our location.

Funny - I haven't seen a golf cart yet!

I don't think security will be an issue due to my neighbour's vehicle parked nearby.

We are facing east which will allow the RV to warm up in the morning with the early sunrise; but will keep it from getting too warm in the afternoon. The wind is really strong today. The clouds are also moving quite quickly and sky is getting brighter with a few sunny breaks as the day moves on - then a sudden short, heavy downpour.

We are going to take it easy today. Monday we may go to Fairhope, AL about 5 miles away. We have been told that many from the RV park will going there for the Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) parade. This day is named after the French tradition of eating good foods this day (as well as on Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras) in preparation for dietary (religious) restrictions imposed during Lent. In Mobile, Lundi Gras, is traditionally a family day.

This morning there was a mini-parade that passed by the RV. A few youngsters, costumed for the occasion, pulled a decorated wagon with passengers along the roadway. By the time I got the camera they were barely visible between the RVs and the tree.

Mardi (Fat Tuesday) Gras is big in Alabama. Mardi Gras makes everyone think of New Orleans; however, Mardi Gras, then called "Boeuf Gras" (Fat Ox), originated in Mobile, AL. It is the oldest annual Carnival celebration in the United States, having started in 1703 when Mobile was the first capital of French Louisiana. This was fifteen years before New Orleans was founded.

The festival began as a French Catholic tradition and has now evolved into a mainstream multi-week celebration that runs across a spectrum of cultures. To Mobilians, Mardi Gras refers to the entire festival season, also known as Carnival. This includes school holidays for the final Monday, Tuesday and, in some areas, (Ash) Wednesday which is the beginning of Lent. The area's traditions draw French, Spanish, British, African, Creole, American, and even Swedish influences. Both Catholics and other Christians often observe Lenten rituals, such as giving up certain foods or taking on charitable obligations during the season of repentance; but, until then - regardless of religious affiliation - it is a party!

The Mardi Gras season starts in November with exclusive parties held by secret mystic societies (Krewes). Other related events have become closely entwined with the social debutante season for members of "society". These events also include traditional masked balls where the gentle where the gentlemen are unmasked and in "Tails" while the women, in evening gowns, are masked. The New Year's Eve Ball is also one of the focal points.

The real celebration for the masses begins on three weekends before Mardi Gras with parades featuring the different Krewes that build the floats. These are held in area towns with most being on the weekend. As Mardi Gras draws closer the parades increase and include weekday events.  Nearly 50 parades occur in the greater Mobile region in the last two weeks alone. Mobile, itself, has 4 major parade routes with several parades throughout each day. They start as early as 10 a.m. with the last beginning after 6:30 p.m. Numerous smaller parades and walking clubs also parade around the city.

The traditional colours of Mardi Gras in Mobile have been purple and gold. Purple, related to royal monarchies in Europe, is also the liturgical (Christian) colour used during Lent. Many in Mobile now incorporate a third colour, green - perhaps influenced by New Orleans' traditional colours of purple, green and gold.

Elaborate floats may be commercially made with less involved units being totally made by the sponsoring Krewe. Construction often begins immediately after the last parade of the season. Krewe members may also participate in the construction or decoration. These events are organized like a party and may be held throughout the year. Their frequency increases as Mardi Gras draws closer.

During the parade Krewe float members (often costumed and masked), toss gifts (known as throws) to the spectators along the route. Throws include necklaces of plastic beads, candy, wrapped cakes or snacks, stuffed animals, and small toys, as well as, footballs, frisbees, or whistles. Often the doubloon coins and plastic cups used as throws are decorated with the symbol of the participating Krewe. Krewes use sales of these items, as souvenirs to tourists, to raise funds for the construction of their float. For safety, city regulations stipulate the length, width and height of floats, to ensure that the floats can navigate the narrow streets and tight turns of downtown. Regulations also dictate what may be used as throws to prevent accidental injury during these parades.

Promptly at the stroke of midnight at the end of Fat Tuesday, all festivities related to Mardi Gras cease. It is the start of Lent (Ash Wednesday). City crews quickly clean the streets of all signs of Mardi Gras for the next day. Local traditions even frown on wearing Mardi Gras beads during Lent.

Lent means it is time to get serious - at least until the first Krewe meeting.