Mardi Gras Mambo

My first Mardi Gras season as a resident of the South shore, I'm down for the count and it's only been one day. I seriously can't hang.  In my one major fail of a day, I've learned some valuable lessons.

The Neutral Ground

I think New Orleans is THE ONLY place where people call the "median" the neutral ground. You know, the grassy area in between the highway? I've always called it the median. Guess I'm not a true New Orleanian.

I thought people were exaggerating when they said they call it neutral ground, but the other day I literally heard about five people say neutral ground INSTEAD of median. They say it in like a normal conversation not even necessarily talking about Mardi Gras. Like what?

Fun Fact: If you are arrested during Mardi Gras you won't get out until Wednesday no matter what. So don't get arrested.

Neutral Ground vs. Sidewalk Side

I had NO idea what this was when I saw it on T-shirts. They have T-shirts that say Neutral Ground Side and T-shirts that say Sidewalk Side. I thought it was some unspoken feud and wasn't going to buy a shirt because I didn't know what it meant.
It is actually very simple: there are two sides when you are watching a parade: the neutral ground side (median/driver side) and the sidewalk side. It's like whatever side you like better to stand on OR if you know someone riding in the parade--they have a certain side they are on. Simple.

The Proper Type of Shoes

DO NOT WEAR NEW SHOES or ANYTHING OTHER THAN TENNIS SHOES to a parade. I learned my lesson the hard way. I wore my converses that I've worn maybe once before when I wasn't doing a couple of miles of walking. BIG MISTAKE. I now have a blister the size of China on my heel and now I don't even know WHAT shoes I'm supposed to wear now. Save yourself the trouble and just go with tennis shoes. I wish I did.

Drinking

PACE YOURSELF. I've never been the type of girl who knows how to pace myself. Last year my own dad told me that it was a marathon not a sprint (talking about drinking during Mardi Gras--wise man). Day drinking and Marathon drinking are really not my thing. I fail at it every year. Maybe I'll get the hang of it by next year.

Hopefully I can get my shit together for today and two more days of the Mardi Gras season. What are your must follow rules of Mardi Gras??