In case you haven’t heard, the New Orleans Saints are going to the Super Bowl for the first time in their 43 year history. To say the scene in our city these days is euphoric- or even ecstatic- would be a gross understatement.
In pure Disney-esque twist, the Saints’ first Super Bowl appearance will occur only 9 days before Mardi Gras day, affording New Orleans and its jovial inhabitants the opportunity for a party like none before.
The chaos began immediately after the Saints won the right to play in the Super Bowl on Sunday January 24th. Within minutes Bourbon Street absolutely oozed with cheery black and gold revelers congratulating the team in our own homegrown fashion, by hugging everyone in sight and sharing a drink with all of them. Brass bands marched down streets in every neighborhood, fireworks lit up the sky and Who Dat chants could be heard from every window. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that our local police force reported no acts of violence in the hours before, during and after the game. New Orleanians know how to party with style and class. As our local newspaper the Times-Picayune noted the other day, “We don’t burn cars. We dance on them.”
However that night was just the beginning. The last 10 days have been nothing but pure New Orleans vibrance. Coffee shop clerks salute each customer with, “Good Morning. Have a Who Dat day.” Each and everyone of us can’t help but get caught up in the excitement. Conversations always divulge into, “Don’t you just love Drew Brees?” “Yes, but I can’t decide if I love Sean Payton even more.”
