How to do Mardi Gras right!

Mardi Gras are one of those things that we all hear about and we hope to experience once in our lives. Well 2018 was the year for me to experience one of the biggest celebrations on Earth. I will be going through tips that will help you enjoy Mardi Gras to the fullest.

Ladders for children up and down the street.

One thing that surprised me the most is that Mardi Gras is truly a family friendly event in New Orleans, Louisiana. Generations of families come out and enjoy the multiple parades that occur during the wonderful celebration. Sometimes we see on TV or Movies that ladies have to flash in order to get beads, that's false. I got about 15 pounds of beads from 5 parades without having to show any skin. If you end up taking the little ones, just keep them away Bourbon Street in the French Quarters. There should not be any children on that street to begin with, but even less during Mardi Gras. You will see people camping out and BBQ-ing the day before to save their spots, be courteous of their spots. You will also see these ladders with a seat on top of it, those are made for the children so they can catch more things. Trust me, you will get so much stuff no need to worry that you won't get anything.

The app to track all of the Mardi Gras parades. 

If you are trying to catch as many parades as possible you should download the WWL Mardi Gras Parade Tracker, my boyfriend was the one who found this helpful tool. This app gives you a schedule of all the parades going on, the path of the parade and minute by minute update on where the parade is. You can plan your parade watching around this app. If you are a fan of Popeyes Chicken like I am, they tell you where the nearest locations are for that too.

Beads and goodies from our first parade

With it being winter in New Orleans, make sure you have a rain coat with you. The rain during this season is very on and off. If you will be attending the night parades it will be a good idea to dress in layers, when it gets cold in New Orleans it is a bone chilling cold. Make sure to keep your valuables close to you, during times like these pickpockets are trying to get everything they can. There are these wonderful little things called athletic fanny packs or running belts, they stay really close to your body and it will be harder for a pickpocket to get to you. I personally kept everything in my bra, because I did not trust having anything in a small purse.

Our delicious cream cheese Kings Cake!

Eat King Cake! It is absolutely delicious, I do not have much of a sweet tooth but this has to be one of my favorite treats. It is a tradition in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Everyone takes a turn to cut the cake and there is a baby inside. If you end up with the baby you will have good luck for the entire year, you will also become the King or Queen of the party. Since you got the baby you will also have the responsibility to buy the cake next year and throw the Mardi Gras Party.

My coconut from the Zulu parade.

One of my favorite parades was the Zulu parade, I promise you it is the best one, do not miss it! Get close to the floats and make sure you get a coconut. If you get one, you get good luck for the entire year. If you get two, give one away. Giving one away gets you two years of good luck. 

If you ever get the lucky chance to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans enjoy it to the fullest! Make sure to plan a year ahead to get the best options and prices. I hope these tips help you along the way.

Con Amor,

Adriana💕

MSI After Hours: Naughty or Nice

I absolutely love that Chicago has a number of fun events going on around the city all year long. I listen to NPR's Chicago station WBEZ all day long at work, while I love keeping up with the news I also love hearing about special events. When I heard that the Museum of Science and Industry had an event for only adults from the hours of 7pm-10pm, I was instantly interested. With my love of museums and the holidays coming up this was a perfect event. Plus I thought it would be a good idea to go back after years of not going, this was one of my favorite Chicago museums from my childhood.

The huge Christmas Tree in the main hall

My boyfriend and I attended the MSI After Hours: Naught or Nice event, the tickets were $30 a person which was a deal to the normal price of a $54 adult ticket that included the same exhibits that we had access to. The $30 ticket included one complementary drink, appetizers, free underground parking, a DJ all night, pictures with Santa and access to the majority of the exhibits. There were only 2 exhibits closed that night, but the rest were free to the adults to relive their inner child. I recommend seeing the museum during the holiday seasons, the decorations are gorgeous! They do something called Christmas Around the World, the museum decorates trees for a number of different countries and explain if they celebrate differently. My boyfriend and I had to take one in front of the tree for Mexico, lets just say I want to decorate my tree like that, I fell in love with it!

In front of the Mexican Christmas Tree

My STRONG Tequila Sunrise, what happens when you tip your bartender

It was such a fun time exploring the exhibits with a drink in my hand. Dancing in the main hall to Sean Paul, thanks to DJ Jesse De La Pena. The people watching was the best during this event as well. Imagine a bunch of drunk adults, young and old exploring an interactive museum.

A Christmas Tree ice sculpture 

The original Jewel grocery store, I never knew it was originally a tea shop?!

The Chicago Skyline make out of blocks

In the hall of airplanes 

In the Numbers In Nature: Mirror Maze 

Museum of Science and Industry

5700 South Lake Sore Drive

Chicago, IL 60637

We had so much fun at the event, and we will be looking into more events like this. Thank you to WBEZ by announcing it on the radio and thank you to the Museum of Science and Industry for making events like this, were we can let loose and have the run of the place without worrying about children. It was honestly a memorable night, I can't wait till the next one! Have any of you attended fun after hours events like this?

Con Amor,

Adriana

Halloween & Dia De Los Muertos in the Pilsen Neighborhood

The older I get the more I appreciate the Chicago neighborhoods that embrace and remind me of my second home, Mexico. I have fond memories of eating food from the street food carts selling everything you can imagine as well as walking up and down 26th Street in La Villita, Now that I am older, I find myself returning to the Pilsen Neighborhood over and over again.

Brew-ja Crawl

On August 20, 2017 my boyfriend and I attend Pilsen Fest for the first time. It is a free event that is filled with the beautiful Mexican culture. You can find amazing food, great music and beautiful art at this festival. The wonderful part is that everyone is welcome, there is no cover but they do ask for a donation at the entrance. When we left that evening we were given a flyer for their 2nd annual Brew-ja Crawl. We enjoy a good time that includes drinking in costumes, so we were sold. 

The Brew-ja Crawl was on a chilly Saturday afternoon. This was a fundraiser for the Pilsen neighborhood so the community can still enjoy the Pilsen Fest every summer. The crawl consisted of 10 bars and breweries in the Pilsen Neighborhood. There were trolleys running from 12pm-6pm for the bars that were a little farther away. They gave you a map and tickets at check in, you ended up with 10 tickets one ticket per bar for a free beer. So trolley rides, free beer, people watching and having a memorable afternoon all for $30, you really can't ask for more. 

We met up at Yvolina's Tamales, because who doesn't like tamales before starting a beer crawl? We already ate breakfast but our friend Karen ordered a Chorizo Tamale with a delicious mole sauce on it. I will have to go back one day when I have a bigger appetite for tamales. Plus they have Vegan options for those of you who cannot have meat.

We were one of the firsts to check in and got a little treat to go with our beers. 

It was so much fun seeing everyone's costumes, I have come to the realization that adults really have more fun with their costumes than kids do. Our group was dressed up as Frida Kahlo, Mariachis and Wednesday Adams. 

While I am not a beer drinker and I was not a fan of any of them, I still had a blast! The people watching was honestly the best, I mean how can you not enjoy seeing people with crazy costumes running down 18th Street in Chicago? You will find some photos below of the different places we ended up making it to.

 The Drink Menu at Moody Tongue

 Where they keep all the beer nice and cold at Lo-Rez Brewing

My delicious Paloma at Twisted Cantina 

I honestly had so much fun, that I am planning to go again next year. There is also good news for those who are spirit drinkers such as myself, they have a Cantina Crawl in May. The Cantina Crawl are for those who enjoy the spirit based drinks rather than beer, that is more after my own heart. I heard there were drinks with mezcal last year, so you know I won't be missing it. I hope to see many of you there too! 

Dia De Los Muertos

Every year the National Museum of Mexican Art puts on an event for Dia de los Muertos called Dia de los Muertos Xicago. I think it is very special to put on an event like this so everyone can learn about this beautiful and important Holiday. It was freezing this year so I didn't stick around for very long like I did last year. 

Once again it is a free event and great event to attend. They have a handful of food vendors near the entrance of the museum. The organizers very beautifully place marigolds and candles all around the building. It gives it a perfect touch for simple decorations. Below are two pieces of art from last year's exhibit. 

There are different bands for entertainment during the event. You can also go into the National Museum of Mexican Art for free, they have a beautiful and interesting display for Dia de los Muertos, I recommend taking advantage of it. The line may look long but goes fast. If you end up going on any other day, there is always free admission to the National Museum of Mexican Art. 

Many families make ofrendas for their loved ones who have passed on, and they are honestly beautiful to see. You will see a large field filled with the beautiful memories of their loved ones. The organization also gives everyone an opportunity to upload a picture of their family member who has passed away and have a slot in their slide show. I submitted my grandparent's photo, but unfortunately the photo never came up, hopefully next year they will be shown. 

This is a great event for the family and friends a like. You can learn so much about the 2 day long holiday, and maybe even have a comfort that we are never alone when we lose someone. We all have or will go through it one day, and it is beautiful to see that memories live on forever. 

If you're ever in the Chicago area I recommend making a trip to the Lower West Side and check out the Pilsen Neighborhood. I hope all of you are able to experience Halloween weekend in the Pilsen Neighborhood at least once, because I had a wonderful time and cannot wait to experience it next year.

Con Amor,

Adriana