wrote in message news:1071842705.191.0{at}fidotel.com...
> *** Quoting Alex Polevoy from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***
>
>
>  AP>> What is Mardi Gras??
>
>  CS> Mardi Gras is a celebration of life,
>
> AP> Some kind of Festival in Rio? 8)
>
> Grin, sounds like it!  But no.  This is in Louisiana USA.
>
>  CS> costumes with lots Hof glitter and dance all through the streets.
>
> AP> But in what occasion this party begins?
>
> I do not know where the origions came from other than 'probably France'
and
> something they had, that was 'Americanized' into a unique celebration of
it's
> own.  Mardi Gras is known world-wide but celebrated only in New Orleans as
far
> as I know.
>
Carol,  Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday"  in Spanish, and was a dramatized
pre-passover/lent feasting, as they give up many things during their
traditional Catholic
passover, to include the readily available alcohol and large-scale meals. It
was
a carry-over from the early Spanish Conquistador exploration days. The
French
later faought them and won what we bought as the Louisiana Purchase during
the days of imminent domain.

> College students in other parts of the USA often have a 'mardi gras' party
> about the same time but those are just an excuse for a regular college
student
> party .
>
The only reason the college 'Spring Break' matches up with this time frame
is due to the Easter/Lent/Passover period which usually starts 2-3 days
after the colleges let out on break.
Jeff

> I am sure where you live there are all sorts of local events and
celebrations.
> When I lived in Texas, the city of Poteet had an annual strawberry
festival
> that was locally famous and lots of fun.  San Antonio Texas has it's
annual
> 'Fiesta' which is held about the same time as Mardi Gras and involves a
huge
> parade about the famous 'Alamo' (a military base that was over-run by the
> Mexican army but sparked the Texans into the unique set that they are).
>                                        xxcarol
>
> --- Telegard v3.09.g2-sp4




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