NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Visitors gave New Orleans high marks as they departed the city following Mardi Gras celebrations, with many vowing Wednesday (Feb. 18) to return next year.
Suitcases filled the lobbies of downtown hotels as clerks, bellhops and valets worked to check out guests. Luggage carts carried clothes and toiletries alongside beads, Zulu coconuts and leftover food from the parade route.
Saleda, traveling home to California while still wearing a Mardi Gras shirt, said she wasn’t ready for the holiday to end.
“Everything we ate was delicious. Even the fast food was delicious,” she said. “Oh, we had a time. A time was had. A time was had and we will be back every year from this point forward. My family is from this area and it was my first one as an adult.”
Jenna Grover from South Carolina said she loved Mardi Gras but was surprised by the atmosphere.
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“It was definitely a culture shock. I’m from a small town, so this was a culture shock,” Grover said.
Asked what she would tell friends back home, Grover said, “Look at this video I shot of this person doing this! Like, look at this crazy nonsense!”
Rideshare driver Alvin Cereaux shuttled travelers from downtown to the airport, completing five round trips by midday.
“Gotta get it when you can get it, you know?” he said.
At the airport, travelers carried parade throws while waiting in long lines at airline counters and TSA checkpoints. Young visitors wore beads and shared their favorite moments.
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A boy said his favorite part was “the parades.” A girl said she “liked seeing the floaties” that were “all lit up.”
Despite the wait times at the airport, most travelers maintained their Carnival spirit. Many said they couldn’t wait to return to New Orleans.
“They haven’t lived yet. They haven’t lived if you haven’t done Mardi Gras yet, honey. Like, you have not lived. It is a good time. You have to experience it yourself,” Saleda said.
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