As it turns out, Mardi Gras is a season, not a day. It runs from January 6 to the night before Ash Wednesday. When I lived in Puerto Rico, I discovered that Christmas wasn't really a one day event. It was a season from Christmas Day (December 25) till Three Kings Day, January 6. Note the connection. Christmas "ends" the day Mardi Gras begins.
Every region of the country has its unique culture. How did it come about that New Orleans created and community environment so different from anywhere else? It's useful to look back on its roots. New Orleans was founded by the French in 1718, hence many of its influences. In 1763, as a result of a war with Britain, it was ceded to the Spanish, but returned to the French. In 1803 the French sold of the central portion of the continent to the United States in what was called the Louisiana Purchase. The price was a steal.
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| Tribute to Tennessee William? |
In addition to French and Spanish influences we find Creole, African American, Cajun, German, Irish, Italian, and Jewish.
It's my understanding that the music is what makes New Orleans sizzle. That was my experience the two times I was there, neither time being Mardi Gras.
(people going to work, TV shows and advertising uninterrupted)
2 comments:
Russia has not "attacked Ukraine".
Russia has granted recognition and protection to two breakaway provinces, Donetsk and Luhansk, whose people (along with the people of Crimea) VOTED for independence from Ukraine in 2014, and declared themselves independent republics.
Crimea was recognized by Russia right away (which was also called an "invasion" by the USA), but Donetsk and Luhansk have been repeatedly attacked by Kiev, since 2014.
The people there have been begging for Russian recognition protection, since 2014, but until now, Russia has given only aid and has accepted refugees from those areas, as Kiev has attacked them by artillery and by air, using US weapons, causing a lot of damage and killing many people.
“Roses Have Thorns” is an excellent series that shows the recent (post-2014) history very clearly. I highly recommend watching it.
It includes first-hand footage from all sides, including the Obama Administration, the Russian Foreign Ministry, the EU, Kiev, and from civilians and militias in Eastern Ukraine.
Eastern Ukraine is not cursing Russia, they're cursing Kiev.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwVUp4IWEKw&t=155s
Thanks. I will try to make time to watch that (Roses Have Thorns) when I can clear my schedule a little.
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