Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published February 17, 2006 Click here for the current edition Mardi Gras Really Begins There has been concern and controversy about Mardi Gras for months now, and finally it's here. Whatever has been said and written about it is now immaterial; the play will go on. I expect that the crowds, while diminished somewhat, will hardly leave the streets empty, and that the vendors and restaurants along the parade routes will find plenty of business. The most encouraging thing to me is the number of restaurants who got up and running in the last week or two, with more to come next week. Meanwhile, getting a hotel room is very difficult. Friends from other cities, as well as more than a few businesses, have contacted me looking for leads to rooms, after exhausting all other possibilities. Part of this is because many hotel rooms are still off-line. But part of it is also that a lot of visitors will be here. As usual, the real situation in New Orleans is much more promising than the doomsayers would have you believe. I still say the attitude we should take is to act as if nothing happened, while doing our reconstruction work the way we go to the bathroom: behind closed doors. (Remember, however, the sage words of Benny Grunch: Ain't no place to pee on Mardi Gras Day.) © 2006 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com