Mardi Gras digs: you love it now!

Some background: we have been living in hotels, B&B's, empty apartments and other people's houses for two and a half years. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is always a difficult time for our lifestyle. Last year we crashed on Gretchen's couch. The year before we were on my sister's living room floor out in 'da Parish. This year, we are living in style thanks to patrons and friends James and Reese.

We are holed up in a large, empty apartment in the French Quarter just two blocks off Canal Street. Anyone who knows anything about New Orleans and Mardi Gras will know that this is one huge mind-blowing score. The first night, however, we fell prey to our own doof-i-ness. There was no electricity. So, we made the best of it by taking these pictures with a slow shutter speed and flashlights.

The next morning we realized that electricity could be had simply by flipping the breakers to on. Ha!