Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is both cultural and religious celebration done annually, March 17 to be exact. Why is this day important? This is supposed to be the date when Saint Patrick died, the patron Saint of Ireland. My husband is of Irish descent so; every year we celebrate St Patrick's Day.

In his hometown, there is always a parade on Saint Patrick's Day. Schools, civic organizations and business establishments participate the parade. There are numerous colorful floats with Krewes in them throwing some beads to the crowd. Saint Patrick's Day is always a family day event and everyone in the town looks forward to it every year.

Most people are wearing green with shamrock prints. People wearing green t-shirts and green caps are common sights on the streets. After the parade, some families go for a barbecue with their family and friends. Some tourists in the area go to the casinos for a shamrock party.

Saint Patrick's Day is a fun holiday down in Mississippi. It is lent season but, some people drink beer and eat lavishly for this day only. In our family after the parade, we just get together and served snacks.

The photos here were taken in Biloxi, Mississippi. We always had a great time celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. How about you? Do you celebrate St Patrick's Day?

I was able to catch some beads too. All these will be sent to my mom and family back home.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Everyone!

#MardiGras in New Orleans Louisiana

I love to visit #NewOrleans especially the #FrenchQuarter area and attend mass in #SaintLouisCathedral along #JacksonSquare. I have been to New Orleans countless times yet, I still want to explore the French Quarter. We lived in #Mississippi 3 years ago so; travel time to New Orleans was just an hour. We usually go at daytime and heads home at 3 or 4 PM. It's not good to be wandering around the area after sunset.

Above photos were taken while we drove towards French Quarter to watch a #MardiGras Parade and at the same time a welcome parade for the #NFL team #Saints, the Champion during #SuperbowlXLIV. We arrived at 9AM and parked our car in Intercontinental Hotel.

As you can see from the photos above, the Saints pass in our area at night time already. The participants of the parade cannot move fast because the crowd occupied the streets already. The crowd was excited to see the members of the Saints. The cheers of the crowd was unbelievable! It was fun but next time, I would rather stay at home and watch the TV.

Before the parade, hubby and I went to French Quarter and play a little bit at Harrah's and had our lunch there. The buffet was so festive, delicious and so affordable. I love Harrah's! The decors inside are fantastic. At daytime, the crowd was calm and behaving great. Totally the opposite at night time.

Nearby us are groups of drunk and unruly locals. One of them spilled beer on my shirt and didn't bother to say sorry. We had enough of the crazy people around us so; we transferred to another area where there were kids. At least they were behaving like grown ups hehehe.

By the way, the little shops in the area have this type of display. Maybe these can be used as voodoo dolls huh? LOL. At French Quarter along Jackson Square, a lot of locals offer services such as palm reading and simple magic. Make sure you have small bills with you if in case you give a tip. Do not watch them attentively if you don't intend to give something. They are persistent so; if you see someone wearing a nice mask/costume and you want to take a picture with him, give a dollar or two. Don't show your wallet hahaha. They will follow you in the next block if you don't give and if they are not satisfied with your tip.

It was cold and freezing at night especially where we were standing (between buildings).

See the people on the streets? Tell me if parades can pass by this area? Hard huh? The parade was able to pass like a turtle. If you are willing to pay $75 to $1000, you can buy a space in those tents. You can sit comfortably and when they throw beads, it will surely land on your lap. All in all, I enjoyed the Mardi Gras Parade. I love watching the people. 95% of the crowd were friendly and polite. If I will visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras season? I will think twice hahaha. I would definitely watch Mardi Gras in Mobile Alabama and in Mississippi (Biloxi, Pass Christian, Ocean Springs, Gulf Port and D'Iberville).

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

"Most humble-minded man,

pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker

for having chosen him as the instrument

whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols

and unclean things had become the people of God."

Saint Patrick

I would say that right where we live in Mississippi, all activities are centered to family and religion. People support every events in the town and my husband and I were always present in the crowd. Most families that I knew were family oriented with laid back lifestyle. They are hardworking, God-fearing and most of all, family tops on their list. Events like St. Patrick's Day is well attended and look forward too by families each year. The family of my husband is of Irish descent so, St. Patrick's Day is a big deal for them.

As we all know, Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He brought Christianity to the country. I never read his books but, some bookworms said that the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and the Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians are good books to read.

Green and Shamrocks

The original color associated with Saint Patrick was blue but, over the years it was changed to green. The green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century.

There was a rebellion at that time and the Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March to catch public attention and it was also considered as a political statement.

It was known that Saint Patrick used the shamrock, the national flower of Ireland to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. Wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs was omnipresent from that day onward.

Snakes and Pagan Practice

 

My husband told me one time that there are no snakes in Ireland. Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland and most of my online readings claimed that it is true; there are no snakes in Ireland.

 

Probably, it may never have been for the island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age. Pagan religions worshipped serpents. When Saint Patrick drives away the snakes from Ireland, it became symbolic because it ended the pagan practice.

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is observed annually every March 17, the date of his death. It is a tradition for spiritual renewal. Saint Patrick's Day is associated with everything Irish such as anything green and gold, as well as shamrocks and luck.

The holiday began in Ireland and as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. Celebrated on March 17th every year, Saint Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday and many Irish attended mass before going to the festivities.

In the United States, cities with large Irish population just like in Mississippi, St. Patrick's Day is a very big event. Big parades, wearing of the green, Irish music, throwing of Shamrock and green beads, Irish food and drink, and more activities for kids such as crafts and games are part of the festivities. So, Irish or not, let us all celebrate this holiday and have fun!

Mardi Gras in Mississippi

Mardi Gras is over last Tuesday but, I got some requests to publish more photos of the Mardi Gras in Mississippi so; request granted and take a look at the photos below:

This Mardi Gras parade photos were taken in Ocean Springs, Mississippi along the street of Porter Avenue.

It is necessary to raise your hand and shout "Give me some beads" or else, no one will see you.

You can xpect that the floats are decorated in gorgeous theme and colors. Expect a big party on the streets and after the parade, family and friends usually have a barbecue party at home too.

The more funky your outfit during the parade, the more likely you will be notice in the crowd. I just wear my humongous beads hehehe.

The most love animals were not left behind. Canine is part to most Mardi Gras parades in Alabama, Mississippi and New Orleans.

See the funky hats? I saw the Krewe's gave them nice beads. Children usually get the nice teddy bear and toys so; if you are behind the children, you will likely get less beads. Krewe's love children and they will never notice you.

Most Krewe in the floats gave out ordinary/common beads but, reserved the rarest and beautiful beads later. They usually gave it to the person they recognize in the crowd. But, if you are carzy and do some wacky attention to get beads, you might have the luck.

If you are dog lovers, you will be amazed to see different breeds of dogs during the parade.

The crowd anxiously waiting for the parade.

Snappy high school bands.

This type of float is the most common in Mardi Gras parade but, some floats go beyond the ordinary.

The Mayor and the city officials are always present as well. For more photos, check out Mardi Gras in all my blogs. Thanks for always patronizing my blog. See you next time.