
Patrick Semansky / AP
Mardi Gras reveler Mike Turpin, whose night still isn't over, reacts as a front loader collects beads and other debris left behind by revelers on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, early Wednesday, March 9. Ash Wednesday marks the end of Mardi Gras festivities and the beginning of the Lenten season for Catholics.

Patrick Semansky / AP
A man runs for shelter as rain pours down on a nearly deserted Bourbon Street.

Patrick Semansky / AP
Workers use front loaders to clean up beads and other debris left behind by Mardi Gras revelers on Bourbon Street.
These morning-after images give a pretty good idea of just how hard they partied in New Orleans over the past few days. See more images from celebrations around the world here.


When I tell my friends that Fantasy Fest in Key West is like Mardi Gras in New Orleans ONLY A LOT CLEANER -- this is what I'm talking about.
Because no one goes?
Sure is nice that Old Orleans has it's priorities straight.
The majority of the people contributing to the trash in the quarter are tourists anyway. Next time you come down to NOLA for Mardi Gras, take your trash back with you.
what a waste!
Ah New Orleans' claim to fame: Mardi Gras! A full week of public urination, drunkeness, women baring their breast for trinkets, bawdiness, vomiting in the street...whoo hoo...! The end of the sewer pipe that is the Mississippi... New Orleans.
As a resident of NOLA I can easily see you have the perception of Mardi Gras painted by the media. The reason we don't fight thus perception is because it keeps the low class creeps & perverts visiting for the above reasons confined to Bourbon Street (a place us locals never visit) & keeps both them and dodgy self centered jerky tourists away from the truly fun, family friendly festivities that us local look forward to every year! Keep perpetuating the myth! We like to keep the true Mardi Gras all to ourselves!
Above posters: What a bunch of whiny sniveling Puritans! I'll bet you people are the life of every party you attend...
I've never seen a local drink one of those green hand grenade drinks, nor seen a local frequent Bourbon Street. I love NOLA and I love tourists. The above posters are a bunch of dorks from the Midwest who probably come to NOLA for a convention, get bombed, cheat, and then pray about it before voting GOP.
Eating and drinking in New Orleans is the soul of laughter and fun.